Storage devices

A storage device is any computing hardware that is used for storing,

recording and extracting data files and objects. It can hold and store
information both temporarily and permanently. It can be internal or external
to a computer or any similar computing device. A storage device may also
be known as a storage medium or storage media. Storage devices are one of
the core components of any computing device. They store virtually all the
data and applications on a computer. They are available in different form
factors. For example, a standard computer has multiple storage devices
including RAM, ROM, cache, hard disk and externally connected USB
drives.
There are two different types of storage devices:

 Primary storage devices: Primary storage devices are designed to hold

data temporarily or permanently. They are internal to the computer.
They have the fastest data access speed. They include RAM, ROM
and cache memory.
 Secondary storage devices: These have large storage capacity, and
they store data permanently. They can be either internal or external to
the computer. They include the hard disk, optical disk drive and USB
storage device.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM stores data that is directly accessible by the Computer’s CPU. RAM is
connected directly to the CPU via memory bus. RAM is high-speed storage.
RAM is used to store data loaded by active programs and the operating
system. Data is stored there remains only as long as computer is running and
when you turn the computer off data disappears.
There are 2 basic types of RAM.
- Static RAM
- Dynamic RAM
Both of them hold data, but in different ways. SRAM consists of a lot of
transistors. DRAM consists of a transistor and a capacitor to hold a bit of
data. DRAM requires the data to be refreshed periodically. Because it is
dynamic memory. But SRAM doesn’t need to be refreshed. SRAM is faster
access speed, DRAM is lower access speed. SRAM is newer version RAM
than DRAM. SRAM has lesser memory capacity and higher costs, but
DRAM has greater memory capacity and lower costs. SRAM is typically
used in CPU cache, DRAM is typically used in system memory and video
graphics memory.
DRAM consists of several modifications such as SDRAM (Synchronous
Dynamic RAM), SDR SDRAM (Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic
RAM), DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM).
SDRAM is a classification of DRAM that operates in sync with the CPU
clock. It waits for the clock signal before responding to data input.
SDR SDRAM is the expended form for SDRAM. The ‘single data rate’
indicates how the memory processes one read and one write instruction per
clock cycle. 
DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR
SDRAM). DDR SDRAM is capable of processing two read and two write
instructions per clock cycle. DDR SDRAM also works at a lower standard
voltage (2.5 V from 3.3 V) than SDR SDRAM. Today our computer mostly
used from the abilities of DDR SDRAM and DIM RAMs.
A DIMM (dual in-line memory module) is other type of DRAMs. DIMM is
a double SIMM (single in-line memory module). A DIMM is a module that
contains one or several random access memory (RAM) chips on a small
circuit board.
ROM (Read Only Memory)
ROM stores critical programs such as the program that boots the computer.
BIOS Program, calculators, peripheral devices general information is stored
in ROM. RAM requires a flow of electricity to retain data, but ROM
doesn’t require it. It works without electricity. RAM is a type of volatile
memory, ROM is a type of non-volatile memory.
There are several types of ROM. The most common are:
PROM (Programmable ROM). This type of ROM can be reprogrammed by
using a special device. This device is called a PROM programmer. It is
programmed only one time.
EPROM (Erasable PROM). It has contents erased by ultraviolet light and
then reprogrammed by PROM programmer. This procedure can be carried
out many times.
EEPROM (Electrically Erased PROM). Difference between EPROM and
EEPROM is that EPROM is erased using ultraviolet, but EEPROM is erased
using electric signals.
Cache Memory
Cache memory is a small-sized type of volatile computer memory. It
provides high-speed data access to a processor and stores frequently used
computer programs, applications and data. The purpose of cache memory is
to store program instructions and data that are used repeatedly in the
operation of programs. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in
the cache memory. If it finds the instructions or data it's looking for there
from a previous reading of data, it does not have to perform a more time-
consuming reading of data from larger main memory or other data storage
devices. It is the fastest memory in a computer, and is typically integrated
onto the motherboard.
Magnetic storage devices
Today, magnetic storage is one of the most common types of storage used
with computers. Magnetic storage or magnetic recording is the storage of
data on a magnetic medium.

A disk drive uses read and write heads containing electromagnets to create
magnetic charges on the medium.
There are several types of magnetic storage as follows.

 Hard disk
 Floppy diskette
 SuperDisk

A hard disk drive (sometimes abbreviated as Hard drive, HD, or HDD) is

a non-volatile memory hardware device that permanently stores data on a
computer. All computers have a hard drive installed in them, which is used
to store files for the operating system, software programs, and a user's
personal files. A computer cannot function without a hard drive installed.
Hard drive keeps all stored information even with the power is turned off.

A Floppy Disk Drive, also called FDD or FD for short, is a computer disk

drive that enables a user to save data to removable diskettes. Floppy disks
are read and written by floppy disk drive. Today floppy disks still have some
limited uses. Because usb disks have replaced them.
Optical storage devices
Another common storage is optical storage. Optical storage devices are:
 Blu-ray disc
 CD-ROM disc
 CD-R and CD-RW disc
 DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc

BD may refer to any of the following:

 Short for Blu-ray Disc, BD or BD-ROM and it can store up to 25 GB
single-layer disc and 50 GB on a dual-layer disc, each disc being the same
size as a standard CD. It is capable of storing several hours of video in high-
definition and ultra high-definition resolution.

Short for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory, a CD-ROM is an optical

disc which contains audio or software data whose memory is read only. As
you would imagine, these drives are capable of playing audio CDs and
reading data CDs, including CD-R and CD-RW discs. A CD-ROM drive
cannot read a DVD, including movie DVDs and data DVDs. The format of a
DVD is different than a CD and a CD-ROM drive is not designed to read the
format of a DVD.
CD-R is short for CD-Recordable and is a writable disc and drive that is
capable of having information written to the disc once and then having that
disc read many times after that. Data cannot be deleted from a CD-R disc
and a CD-R disc cannot be formatted. If the data is not written to the disc
properly, it cannot be corrected. CD-Rs are a low-cost solution for backing
up software and they are so cheap. Although these are still a very popular
solution for backing up data, more users are turning to DVD-R, USB thumb
drives, and the cloud to backup and transfer data.

DVD is an abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc.

They can store any kind of digital data. It is widely used for software and
other computer files as well as video programs. DVDs offer higher storage
capacity than compact discs.
DVD-R is Short for Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable, DVD-R is a drive
capable of recording once to a disc and reading many times after it has been
created. DVD-R discs are compatible with most stand alone DVD players
and computer DVD-ROM drives.
DVD-RW (DVD-R/W)

Short for Digital Versatile Disc-Read/Write, DVD-RW is an approved

standard by DVD Forum. Similar to CD-RW, it's a technology that enables a
user to read and write to a DVD-RW or DVD-R disc multiple times. DVD-
RW drives are capable of recording to DVD-R and DVD-RW discs and are
also known as "DVD-5" and "DVD-10" discs.
Note: DVD-RW discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players
and computer DVD-ROM drives.
DVD+R

With DVD+RW you can read and write to a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc
several times. DVD-R DL (DL stands for Dual Layer) is a derivative of
the DVD-R format standard. DVD-R DL discs hold 8.5 GB by utilizing two
recordable dye layers, each capable of storing a little less than the
4.7 gigabyte (GB) of a single layer disc, almost doubling the total disc
capacity. Discs can be read in many DVD devices (older units are less
compatible) and can only be written using DVD-R DL compatible recorders.
It is part of optical disc recording technologies for digital
recording to optical disc.
Flash memory devices

Flash memory has started to replace magnetic media as it becomes cheaper

as it is the more efficient and reliable solution.
 USB flash drive
 Memory card
 Memory stick

USB flash drive is a portable storage device. It connects to a computer via
a USB port. Flash drives are an easy way to store and transfer information.
They are available in sizes ranging from 2 GB to 1 TB. Unlike a
standard hard drive, the flash drive has no movable parts; it contains only an
integrated circuit memory chip that is used to store data.
Memory card is a type of storage media that is often used to store photos,
videos, or other data in electronic devices. Devices that commonly use a
memory card include digital cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, handheld
computers,  cell phones, game consoles and printers. The picture to the right
is a MicroSD flash memory card, which is just one of the types of memory
cards available.
Memory Stick  is a flash memory card used with Sony digital cameras and
other Sony products. Sony released several models of the Memory Stick,
including the Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO
Duo, Memory Stick Micro (M2), and Memory Stick PRO-HG. The capacity
of the Memory Sticks range in size from 4 MB to 256 GB, with a theoretical
maximum capacity of 2 TB, but they have not been produced in that
capacity to date.
Online and cloud
Storing data online and in cloud storage is becoming popular as people need
to access their data from more than one device.
 Cloud storage
 Network media

Cloud computing is a term used to describe services provided over a

network by a collection of remote servers. This abstract "cloud" of
computers provides massive, distributed storage and processing power,
which can be accessed by any Internet-connected device running a web
browser.
Because the term cloud computing is a broad term, it is likely if you have
spent any time on the Internet or use devices connected to the Internet that
you have used it in some form. Below are some common examples of cloud
computing you have likely heard of or used. Examples of Cloud memory are
Amazon Web Services (AWC), Google Docs, Windows Azure etc.
Network media is any audio, video, images or text, used on a computer
network, like the Internet. It almost always requires a computer to send and
receive, as well as a community of people to create and consume the content.
Network media are decentralized and contributed by many people, who not
only provide it to others, but are also recipients and users of the media.

Computer Storage units

Bytes 8 bits 23 byte

Kilobyte 1024 bytes 210 byte
Megabyte  1024 KB 220 byte
Gigabyte  1024 MB 230 byte
Terabyte 1024 GB 240 byte
Petabyte 1024 TB 250 byte
Exabyte 1024 PB 260 byte
Zettabyte 1024 EB 270 byte
Yottabyte 1024 ZB 280 byte