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 stores data using magnetic dots.
How it works: Stores data in tiny magnetised dots and these dots are manipulated by using magnetic fields made by
tiny electromagnetics
Examples of Devices/Media: Hard disk drive, portable and external disk drives also magnetic tapes

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: No moving parts
How it works: it stores data on a non-fertile memory stick
Examples of Devices/Media: Memory sticks, Flash memory cards also SSDs (Solid State Drives)

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: Tiny bumps and aluminium
How it works: starting from the centre spiralling outwards to the edge by shooting lasers at them weathering it has
hit a bump or a flat to send it in a different direction.
Examples of Devices/Media: CD, Blu-ray, DVD.

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

1-4 TB

store operating
system , program
files and

Large storage capacity

Hard disk drives can

crash which is
stopping the
computer

Stored items are not lost

when computer is turned
off
Cheap

Slower to access data

than ROM or RAM chips.

1-2 TB

Backups an

Large amounts of
portable storage

More prone to
damage and has
moving parts

6 TB

Backup

Large amounts of
storage and reliable

Slow to access.

32-64 GB

Portable personal
storage of files in
data

Small size portability

and large capacity

Easily lost data can

be corrupted if its
moved to early

32 GB

Storing data in
cameras mobile
phones and tablet
computers

Small size portability

and large capacity

Easily lost data can

be corrupted if its
moved to early

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 sequential is a sequential access memory (SAM) is data thats storage in devices that read their data in
sequence. This is in contrast to random access memory (RAM) where data can be accessed in any order.
Sequential access devices are usually a form of magnetic memory.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage
A CD and a DVD use the sequential access memory to upload data too.
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage
A disadvantage of using the sequential access memory is that when on CD and DVD the DVD or the CD can get
damaged and therefore leaving the disk harder to load your data onto your computer. The advantages of using a
sequential access memory is that it keep all your data onto one disk.

4. What is Random Access?

Random access memory (RAM) is to process the transferring information to or from memory in which every
way and then being accessed in a fixed sequence.
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage
A USB memory stick uses RAM

6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage
The advantages RAM is the memory used to manage multiple tasks on your computer. The disadvantage of random
access memory is that its volatile so when you switch your power of it has gone.

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?