Storage

Devices
In this section, fill in the information below about each method of storage. Include relevant diagrams under each
heading. Delete this red text when youre done.

Magnetic Storage
Definition/Characteristics: data stored on iron oxide (rust) in tiny dots.
How it works: the dots are manipulated using a magnetic field created by very tiny electro magnets.
Examples of Devices/Media: hard disk drive, portable (external) hard disk drive, magnetic tapes.

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: data that is stored with no moving parts that is rewritable.
How it works: it uses non-volatile chips to store data.
Examples of Devices/Media: memory sticks, flash memory cards, SSDs

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: a method of reading and writing to disk read by a laser
How it works: Laser is shone at a disk and it hits bumps or flat parts and it picks up 0s and 1s
Examples of Devices/Media: CD DVD and blueray

Advantages and Disadvantages

Fill in the table below. Use the internet to help you. Delete this red text when youre done.
Type of Storage

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

3-4TB which is a
lot

To store
everything, the
programs,
operating systems
and so on.

Has lots of
storage and its
very fast. Cheap

Quite slow and

can be damaged
easily

2-3tb

Storage of
personal data and
backups

Large capacity
and portable

The same

Hard Disk Drive

Portable HDD

8tb

One use and its in

the back ups of
servers.

Large capacity
and long lasting

Only suitable for

backup and no
other purpose

64-128gb

Portable personal
storage of files

Small size and

portability

Easily lost and

damaged

32-64gb

Used in digital
cameras phones
for more storages

Very small size

and relitivly large
capacity

The same

Magnetic Tape

Memory Stick

Flash memory
card

Storage Methods
Youve looked a lot at storage methods and what storage devices are used for. But you havent looked at how the
data is actually stored and accessed on a device.
Answer the following questions:
1. What is SEQUENTIAL storage/Access?
Where you can access data without skipping through anything, if you were watching a film you could skip
through to the good bit you would have to watch it all.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage
A cassette tape
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage
Its very simple,

to retrieve your data its a long process.

4. What is Random Access?

Data that you can save in a specific place and retrieve it with ease
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage
RAM
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage
Its very fast to retrieve or go to your data. One disadvantage is that you have to have a tracking process for your data
because you could lose it.

Backup
What is the definition of Backup?
a copy of a file or other item of data made in case the original is lost or damaged.

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?

Backing storage is a permanent copy that you would use and back up is the copy in case the permanent copy is lost.

Give two reasons why backups should be used/made

Because if your hard dread dies then you have and extra and if someone gives your computer a virus then you have
an extra.