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Chapter 3

STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA


Storage Devices
Storage devices are essential for the following reasons:
▪ Stores data after computer is switched off as RAM is volatile
▪ Allows data transfer between computers
▪ Some programs are larger than RAM capacity
▪ Acts as a cheap supplement for main memory
Backing storage media and associated
devices
❑Magnetic backing storage media :Magnetic Tapes, Fixed hard disks and drives, portable and removable hard
disks
❑Optical backing storage media (CD/DVD/Blu-ray): CD ROM/DVD ROM, CD R/DVD R, CD RW/DVD RW, DVD
RAM, Blu-ray discs
❑Solid state backing storage: solid state drives (SSDs), flash drives (pen drive/memory stick/USB stick)
Magnetic backing storage and media :
stores data in the form of magnetic pattern

❑Magnetic Tape
❑ Uses serial access(to read an item, have to pass through previous items and changes
cannot be recorded in the same medium)
❑ Can store large amounts of data (up to 500GB)
❑ Needs a tape drive which is not available in most computer systems
❑ Can be easily moved away
❑ Cheap per unit of storage
❑ Used for backups of network servers(usually have tape drives)
❑Fixed hard disk drive
❑ Uses direct access(data can be read in any order and changes can be made on
the same medium)
❑ Has large storage capacity (up to Terra bytes)
❑ Has fast access rates
❑ Used to store library of programs and data as well as operating system
❑Removable hard disk drive
❑ The removable version of the hard disk drive
❑ Used to transfer large files between computers
Optical backing storage media
(CD/DVD/Blu-ray):
stores data by burning small pits on the disk surface using a laser
beam
CD ROM/DVD ROM, CD R/DVD R, CD RW/DVD RW, DVD RAM, Blu-ray discs
❑Optical media are the cheapest of all
❑They are portable
❑They need an optical drive which may not be available in some computer systems
❑They can be easily damaged or scratched
Uses of different types of optical
media:
CD and DVD-ROM:
Read only memory, can only be read from
❑ Used by software companies to distribute programs
❑ Used to distribute music and media files
CD and DVD –R:
Recordable, can be recorded once and then read only
❑ Home recording of music files and films
❑ To store data which will not be changed anymore (photos, coursework,..)
❑ To transfer files and software between computers
CD and DVD –R/W:
Rewritable, can be overwritten many times
❑ To record radio and television programs
❑ For backups of data
❑ To transfer files between computers
❑ In CCTV security systems
DVD –RAM:
Random Access Memory, can be written to and read from simultaneously
❑ In recording devices of satellite receivers to allow simultaneous recording and playback
Blu-Ray:
Blue Ray Disk has larger storage capacity
❑ To store high definition movies and games
Solid state backing storage: solid state
drives (SSDs), flash drives (pen
drive/memory stick/USB stick)
❑Stores data electronically
❑Has fast rates of data access
❑Durable
❑Small size, so the most portable
❑Does not need a device to read or write data
❑Has large storage capacity
❑More expensive per unit of storage
Uses
❑SSD replaces HDD in laptops due to their small size, light weight and less consumption of
electricity
❑Flash memory cards are used in smart phones and digital cameras
❑Memory sticks(pen drives) are used to transfer files between computers

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