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: it is computer data that consists of ones and zeroes. (Binary code)
How it works: It gets the ones and the zeroes by using magnets with a north and a south pole.
Examples of Devices/Media: hard disk drives and tapes

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: it is data stored on non-volatile memory chips, and no moving parts
How it works: uses flash memory chips
Examples of Devices/Media: USB/memory cards

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: it is information stored on optical media
How it works: it works by shining a laser at the disc and the bounces of the bumps on the disc represent one or zero.
Examples of Devices/Media: Blu-ray/cds/DVDs

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(terabyte)

Stores all data in a

computer

Large capacity

Slow

Stores personal
data

Large capacity

Slow

portable

Can be damaged

Hard Disk Drive

1-2tb
Portable HDD

Have moving parts

6-8tb

Backs up servers

Reliable

Magnetic Tape

Memory Stick

Large capacity

64-128gb
(gigabytes)

Portable personal
storage

small

32-64gb

Used in phones
for extra storage

small

Flash memory
card

Only used for

backup

Easily lost

Large capacity

Easily lost

Large capacity

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? Data that is stored and
accessed in a sequence. It is not possible to "jump" directly to
a file or piece of data.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method
of file storage. Cassette tapes and video tapes.

3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method

of file storage. An advantage is that it stores things in an ordered
fashion. A disadvantage is that you have to wait a long time to get
to the last file.

4. What is Random Access? Data that can be accessed or written

in any order to any available place in the storage device.

5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access

method of storage. RAM (random access memory)
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access
method of storage. An advantage of random access is that it can
be quick to store new data and you have direct access to things
when you want them. A disadvantage is that it can get
disorganised quickly and you have to have a method of tracking
the file.
Backup
What is the definition of Backup?
An exact copy of data, stored externally to the original.

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?

Backing storage is a working storage inside the computer permanently
and backup is a replacement.
Give two reasons why backups should be used/made