ICT 0417 Chapter 3rd STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA Fahim Siddiq 03336581412

1- BACKING UP OF DATA: It refers to copying of files or data to a

different storage medium such as disk, tape or flash drive etc.
REASONS FOR BACKING UP:
a- To safeguard data against the loss of data due to failure of original
storage devices.
b- To safeguard data against the damaged caused by hackers.
c- In case the files need to be used elsewhere.
d- Possibly guard the data against the effect of a virus.

2- TYPES OF ACCESS
2.1- SERIAL ACCESS: When data is stored one after the other with no
regard to the order. The required record can be found by accessing
each record from the beginning until it is found. It is slow form of
data access.

USES:

a- It is primarily used on magnetic tape systems.

b- Where speed or order of access is not important such as utility
billing, clearing bank cheques or producing pay slips.

2.2-DIRECT ACCESS: It uses key field to calculate where data should

be stored. The data can be accessed directly from the calculated
position. The data is not sorted in any specific order.
USES:

a- It is used where access speed is important such as online systems

(airline booking, automatic stock control) and real time
applications (controlling a chemical plant).
b- It is used with magnetic disks, optical media and solid state media.

3- MAGENTIC STORAGE MEDIA: Magnetic material is coated on

the surface of a disk or tape that can be magnetized in such a way
as to represent a 1 or a 0.

3.1- FIXED/INTERNAL HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD): It is available on all

computers and main storage device for storing data. The surface is
coated in magnetic film. Altering the magnetic properties represents
data (1s and Os).

USES:

a- To use and save the operating system, and application software.

b- Used in real time systems to store data.
c- Used to store warehouse stock files and data.
d- Used in file servers for computer networks.

Advantages:

a- Fast data transfer.

b- Large memory capacity.

Disadvantages:

a- Can be easily damaged if computer is not properly shut down

every time.
b- They have moving parts, which can become dysfunctional.
c- Read and write operation can be noisy as compared to SSDs.

3.2- PORTABLE HARD DISK DRIVES: These devices work the same
way as fixed hard disk drives but connected to the computer via the
USB port.

USES:

a- Can be used to transfer files between two or more computers.

b- Can be used as backup system to prevent loss of data.

Advantages:

a- Data access time is very fast.

b- They have large memory capacity.
c- Can be used to transfer data between computers.

Disadvantages:

a- Can be easily damaged if dropped or expose to magnetic field.

3.3- MAGNETIC TAPES: It’s a thin strip of plastic that has been
coated in a magnetic layer. They are read and written to by a
read/write head.

USES:

a- Used in batch processing (clearing bank cheques, utility billing,

pay slips).
b- Used in backup media.
c- Used in long-term archiving of data.

Advantages:

a- Less expensive.
b- Robust technology.
c- Huge data storage capacity.

Disadvantages:

a- Slow data access time.

b- Can be affected by magnetic fields.
c- When updating, another tape is required.

4- OPTICAL STORAGE MEDIA

4.1- CD/DVD DISKS: These disks have thin layer of metal alloy or
light sensitive organic dye to store data. Laser light is used to read
and write data on the surface of the disk. The data is stored in ‘pits’
and ‘bumps’ on the spiral track.

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM: These are only read only memory which
means they cannot be written over and can only be read.

USES:

a- CD-ROMs are used to store music files, software, computer

games.
b- DVD-ROMs have larger space and used to store movies and
computer data.
c- Both are primarily used to prevent the deletion or overwriting
important data.

Advantages:

a- Hold more data than floppy disks.

b- Less expensive than hard disks.
Disadvantages:

a- Data access rate is slower than hard disks.

CD-R and DVD-R: These disks are recordable once only, they become
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM once it has been finalized.

USES:

a- Home recordings of music and films.

b- Used to store data to be kept for later use.

Advantages:

a- Cheaper than RW disks.

b- Once burned (finalized) they are like a ROM.

Disadvantages:

a- Can only record data once, if an error is data occurs then disk has
to be discarded.

CD-RW and DVD-RW: These disks are rewriteable several times.

USES:

a- Used to record television programs which can be recorded over

time and time again.
b- During recording if error comes, file can be deleted and can be
rewritten.
c- Used in CCTV systems.

Advantages:
a- Can be written over many times.
b- Can use different formats each time it is used.

Disadvantages:

a- It is possible to accidentally overwrite data.

b- Expensive.

4.2- DVD-RAM: It uses concentric tracks and allows simultaneous

read and write operations.

USES:

a- In recording devices such as satellite receivers.

b- Used in camcorders to store movies.

Advantages:

a- They have a long life.

b- Allow more rewrite operations as compared to RW format.
c- Accurate writing operations due to built-in verification.
d- No need to finalize the disk.
e- Very large capacity.
f- It allows ability to read at the same time as data is being written.

Disadvantages:

a- Not a compatible as R or RW format, many systems won’t

recognize the DVD-RAM format.
b- Relatively expensive.

4.3- BLU-RAY DISCS: It uses a blue laser for read and write operation.
The wavelength of the laser is too small that it stores up to five time
more data than normal DVD.
USES:

a- Home video consoles.

b- Storing high definition movies.
c- Backup of hard drives.
d- Storing movie footage of camcorders.

Advantages:

a- Very large storage capacity.

b- Very fast data transfer rate.
c- Data access speed is better than other optical media.
d- They come with automatically secure encryption system.

Disadvantage:

a- Expensive.
b- Encryption problem may occur.
c- Few movie titles on blu-ray format.

5- SOLID STATE STORAGE MEDIA

5.1- SOLID STATE DRIVES: It is non-volatile rewriteable memory
made up of NAND chips. Data is stored as 0s and 1s in tiny resistors
within these chips. They have no moving parts and do not have
magnetic properties as in HDD.

Advantages of SSD over HDD:

a- More reliable.
b- Light weight.
c- Do not have to get ‘up to speed’ before they work properly.
d- Lower power consumption.
e- No moving parts.
f- Runs much cooler than HDD.
g- Data access is considerably fast.

Disadvantages:

a- It is not long lasting.

b- It is not used in internet servers due to limited write operations
per day.

5.2- ELECTRONICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY

MEMEORIES (EEPROM): It is made up of NOR chip rather than NAND
chip. They are more expensive than NAND chip technology but
allows the data to be accessed or erased in byte-size-chunks.

5.2- MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVES: It uses USB port of the computer

to be connected with it and draws power from the host. It can store
several GBs of data and an example of SSD.

USES:

a- Transferring files between computers and as a backup store.

b- Used as a ‘Dongle’ (security device) to prevent software piracy.

Advantages:

a- Very compact and portable media.

b- Very robust.
c- Does not need driver software.
d- Do not get affected by magnetic field.

Disadvantages:
a- Can’t write protect the data.
b- Easy to lose.
c- Incorrect removal form the computer can corrupt the data.

5.3- FLASH MEMORY CARDS: These are examples of SSD and form of
EEPROM.

USES:

a- Storing photos on digital cameras.

b- Used as Mobile fone memory cards.
c- Used in MP3 players to store music cards.
d- Used as backup store in hand-held computer devices.

Advantages:

a- Very compact.
b- Plug and play.
c- Robust.

Disadvantages:

a- Expensive.
b- Low storage capacity.
c- Not long lasting.