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: Magnetic storage (or magnetic recording) is the storage of data on a magnetized
medium. Magnetic storage uses different patterns of magnetization in a material to store data and is a form
of non-volatile memory. They have tiny dots on them when a laser shines on them they create 1 and 0.
How it works: Magnetic and devices store data in the form of tiny dots. The dots are arranged along length of a
magnetic strip. If theres magnetic disc the dots get arranged in circles.
Examples of Devices/Media: CD,DVD

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: An SSD (solid-state drive or solid-state disk) is a non-volatile storage device that
stores persistent data on solid-state flash memory. They have no moving parts.
How it works: solid state hard drives have no moving parts and do not rely on magnetic fields to store data. Because
they use electrical current, rather than motors and magnets, to store data, they can access data noiselessly and with
less power consumption.

Examples of Devices/Media: Memory cards

Definition/Characteristics: Optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves
within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs

How it works:
Examples of Devices/Media:

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

3-4 tb
Hard Disk Drive

Store all data in

computer system.

3-5
Portable HDD

They are very

large copasady
and cheap

They are slow and

moving parts
which can be
damaged

Large capacity
and portable

Have moving
parts which can
be damaged

In the back up of
servers

Large capacity
and large ability

Only suitable for

back up

64-128 gb

Portable personal
storage of files

Small size and

portability

Easily lost or
damaged

32-64gb

Cameras mobile
phones and
tablets for extra
storage

Very small and

portability

Easily lost

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?
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage

4. What is Random Access?

5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage

Backup
What is the definition of Backup?

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?

Give two reasons why backups should be used/made