STORAGE DEVICES

PRIMARY STORAGE
Primary storage is often referred to as “memory” and is classified as either volatile or
non-volatile. A primary storage device is a medium that holds memory for short
periods of time while a computer is running. Although it has a much lower access
time and faster performance, it is also about two orders of magnitude more costly
than secondary storage.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

is the hardware in a computing device where the
operating system (OS), application programs
and data in current use are kept so they can be
quickly reached by the device's processor. RAM
is the main memory in a computer.

ROM(Read-Only Memory
is a non-volatile memory type. This means it
receives data and permanently writes it on a
chip, and it lasts even after you turn off your
computer.

CACHE
Cache is the temporary memory officially
termed “CPU cache memory.” This chip-based
feature of your computer lets you access some
information more quickly than if you access it
from your computer's main hard drive

SECONDARY STORAGE
Hard Disk Drives (HDD) & Solid-State Drives (SSD) In addition to RAM, every
computer also has another storage drive that's used for storing information on a
long-term basis. This is secondary storage. Any file you create or download saves
to the computer's secondary storage. Secondary storage device refers to any
non-volatile storage device that is internal or external to the computer. It can be
any storage device beyond the primary storage that enables permanent data
storage.

Hard Disk Drive

A hard drive is the hardware component

that stores all of your digital content. Your
documents, pictures, music, videos,
programs, application preferences, and
operating system represent digital
content stored on a hard drive. Hard
drives can be external or internal.

 STORAGE DEVICES
TERTIARY STORAGE
Tertiary storage comprises high-capacity data archives designed to incorporate vast
numbers of removable media, such as tapes or optical discs. The removable media
are normally not stored in suitable drives but held in specially arranged retention
slots, shelves, or carousels in an offline state. Tertiary memory is mainly used for
storing very large data which can be accessed without any interference from
humans.

Magnetic Tape)
is used to capture speech and music, and
magnetic videotape provides a low-cost
medium for recording analog voice and video
signals directly and simultaneously.

Optical Disc
Optical disc is any storage media that
holds content in digital format and is
read using a laser assembly is
considered optical media.

OFF-LINE STORAGE
Offline storage refers to any storage medium that must be physically inserted into a
system every time a users wants to access or edit data.

Memory Card

A memory card is a type of storage device

that is used for storing media and data
files. It provides a permanent and non-
volatile medium to store data and files
from the attached device. Memory cards
are commonly used in small, portable
devices, such as cameras and phones.

Floppy Disk
floppy disks were widely used to distribute
software, transfer files, and create back-up
copies of data.

USB Flash Drive

A USB flash drive is used to transfer files,
documents, photos and more from a desktop to a
flash drive and vice-versa.