Storage

Devices
Magnetic Storage
Definition/Characteristics: storage using magnetically sensitive particles with moving parts.
How it works: As is it magnetic, it is able to arrange millions of magnetic particles allowing it to read and store
information.
Examples of Devices/Media: Hard drive, Magnetic tapes.

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: Solid state storage saves data. It has no moving parts.
How it works: stored on non-volatile memory chips.
Examples of Devices/Media: Memory sticks, Flash memory cards.

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: A way of reading or writing data onto a disc using a laser.
How it works: The disc is made up of spiral bumps from the centre which the laser reads. The light reflects in
different direction to show either a 0 or 1.
Examples of Devices/Media: CD, DVD

Advantages and Disadvantages

Type of Storage

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

Average size 1 4TB.

Used to
permanently
store information
in a computer,
operating system
and program files

Very cheap

Prone to damage

Can store a lot of

data.

Contains moving
parts, they wear
out; can cause
data loss if
dropped.

Transfer large
amounts data
from one device
to another.

Can store a large

amount of data.

Hard Disk Drive

2TB
Portable HDD

Relatively quick

Portable, move it
around.

Prone to damage
Moving parts
More liking to
drop or damage it

Back up

6 8 TB
Magnetic Tape

32 - 64 GB
Memory Stick

32 64 GB
Flash memory
card

Used for Back up

Very reliable

Usually server
back ups

Holds an
extremely large
amount of data.

Used to store
personal files and
transfer between
computers

Large amount of
storage in a very
small size.

Used for storing

digital
information.
(photos and
videos)

Fast to read and

write data from.

Slow to read and

write data

Limited life span

Easily lost or left
behind.

Portable

Reliable

Limited life span

Easily lost or left
behind.

Large amount of
storage in small
size.

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? When data is stored in an order.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage. Videos tapes
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage
Advantage: you know where everything is in an organised order.
Disadvantage: you may need to flick through different things to find what youre looking for.

4. What is Random Access? This is when everything is stored in a random order.

5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage. Computer
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage
Advantage: its very quick to store new data.
Disadvantage: you can get quite disorganised quickly.

Backup
What is the definition of Backup? It is an exact copy of data that is stored externally from the original.

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?

Backup is storing data externally from the original and back storage is storing data on the same device.
Give two reasons why backups should be used/made
1. To replace lost data
2. Data could be deleted from original media, therefore a backup would recover the data.