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: a magnetised piece of storage data.
How it works: by manipulating with an electromagnetic arm
Examples of Devices/Media: hard drive disk

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: Is data on a no volatile memory chip. This kind of storage is called flash memory
How it works: it works by storing non-volatile data on a memory chip
Examples of Devices/Media: memory sticks and flash memory cards

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: is information stored on optical media such a CD, DVD or Blu-ray
How it works: the disk is made up of a consistent spiral track; this track consists of the bumps and flat sections. Then
the data is read from the discs using a laser. Finally the light bounces off in different directions to represent a 1 or a 0
Examples of Devices/Media: CD-ROM

Advantages and Disadvantages

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

Hard Disk Drive

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

1 to 4 terabytes

To store data and

program files in a
computer system

Large storage
capacity, data is
not lost when you
switch the
computer off.

Loss of data in
that sector, hard
disks eventually
fails which stops
the computer
from working.

1-2 terabytes

To store backup,
transferring large
amounts of data

Large storage
capacity and very
portable.

They are very

slow to write and
to read. Very easy
to damage.

6 terabytes

To store backup

They are small,

easy to carry,
cheap, useful for
transferring small
files.

Easy to damage,
small storage
capacity, many
new computers
dont have floppy
disk drives.

32-64 gigabytes

portal storage of
files and data

Very portable,
small and large
capacity.

Easily lost, data

can be corrupted

32 gigabytes

Storing data in
digital cameras
and phones

Very portable,
small and large
capacity.

Easily lost, data

can be corrupted

Portable HDD

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? A storage tech that is read and written in a serial fashion e.g magnetic
tape.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage/ backup tape
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage large storage space and it is
very easy to damage.

4. What is Random Access? The process of transferring information to or from memory in which every memory
location can be accessed directly rather than being accessed in a fixed sequence.
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage/ backup tape
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage

Backup
What is the definition of Backup?
An exact copy of data that is non-volatile.

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage? Backup is another copy in a different place and backing
storage it just saved in the same place.

Give two reasons why backups should be used/made