Auxiliary storage

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BMS 1143)

FACLUTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Conducted by : Dharani Abeysinghe
(Department of IT)
Email: dharani.abeysinghe@cinec.edu
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Learning outcomes
• At the end of the lesson you will be able to :

 Understand about the computer memory

 Learn about different types of auxiliary storages

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Chapter 3
Auxiliary storage

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What is Memory?

• A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and instructions.

• Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be

processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

• The memory is divided into large number of small parts called cells.

• Each location or cell has a unique address.

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Types of memory
Memory is primarily of three types −

• Cache Memory
• Primary Memory/Main Memory
• Secondary Memory

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Cache Memory
• Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which
can speed up the CPU.
• It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory.
• It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are most
frequently used by the CPU.
• The parts of data and programs are transferred from the disk to cache
memory by the operating system, from where the CPU can access
them.

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Advantages
The advantages of cache memory are as follows −
• Cache memory is faster than main memory.
• It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
• It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
• It stores data for temporary use.

Disadvantages
The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows −
• Cache memory has limited capacity.
• It is very expensive.
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Primary Memory (Main Memory)
• Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which the
computer is currently working.
• It has a limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched off. It
is generally made up of semiconductor device.
• These memories are not as fast as registers.
• The data and instruction required to be processed resides in the main
memory.
• It is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.

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Characteristics of Main Memory
• These are semiconductor memories.
• It is known as the main memory.
• Usually volatile memory.
• Data is lost in case power is switched off.
• It is the working memory of the computer.
• Faster than secondary memories.
• A computer cannot run without the primary memory

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RAM
• A type of computer data storage on mother board which makes it possible to access data in random
order. That makes it very fast to find a specific piece of information.

• Used in computer systems as the main memory.

• Volatile memory(Stored information is lost when power down).Therefore when a computer is

running, the central processing unit (CPU) uses it to store information that needs to be used very
quickly, but it does not store any information permanently.

• Since it is a temporary memory 2-8 GB (gigabytes) of RAM capacity is used, while the storage
capacity of the hard disk drive use several hundred GB or even one TB.

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ROM
• Stores data without an electrical current.

• Non volatile memory found on mother board.

• Since it is impossible or difficult to write to ROMs, called as read only memory.

• Ideal place to put the PC startup instructions (firmware) - that is software that boots the system.

• There are varieties of ROMs available in the market.

• PROM Programmable Read Only Memory:(Capable of being programmed once after it has been

created and not allow to change after programmed)

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Differences between ROM and RAM
• KEY DIFFERENCES

• RAM stands for Random Access Memory while ROM stands for Read-Only Memory

• Data stored in Random Access Memory popularly known by acronym RAM stays there

until the computer is running whereas Read Only Memory popularly known by acronym
ROM is used mainly in the start-up process of a modern computer

• RAM is volatile whereas ROM is non-volatile Memory

• The biggest advantage of RAM is that it does not have any moving parts while the

biggest advantage of Rom is that it is not lost when power is switched off.
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Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Memory)

• Secondary storage technology refers to storage devices and storage media

that are not always directly accessible by a computer.

• Used in a computer system to overcome the limitations of primary storage.

• Used to store large volumes of data on a permanent basis.

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Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Memory)

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Advantages
• The advantages of Secondary storage are given below:
• Secondary storage devices are safe, reliable and permanent.
• High speed storage device.
• Huge volume data are stored.
• Less expensive.
• It is nonvolatile.

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Disadvatages

• While RAM electronic storage devices are fast, secondary storage

devices are slower because they are electro-mechanical.

• The information on the secondary device has to be first located,

then copied and moved to the primary memory or RAM.

• Takes more time.

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Types of Secondary Storage
• Magnetic Tape.
• Magnetic Disk.
• Hard Disk.
• Optical Disk.
• Floppy Disk.
• CD (Compact Disk).
• USB (Universal Serial Bus).
• Digital Versatile Disks (DVD).

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Why Use Secondary Storage
• It is non volatile and permanent.
• Used for a very simple task backing up data.
• Used to serve as an external hard drive.
• Becoming more and more portable as technology
progresses.
• Many businesses will connect secondary storage
devices to share files.
• Keep data on them for future use.
• Additional space for data.

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Memory hierarchy

Computer memory divide in to detail levels as a memory hierarchy

"Memory hierarchy" in computer storage distinguishes each level in the "hierarchy" by
response time.

Since response time, complexity, and capacity are related the levels may also be
distinguished by those factors as well.

There are four major storage levels,

Internal – Processor registers and cache.

Main – the system RAM and controller cards.

On-line mass storage – Secondary storage (Auxiliary Storage).

Off-line bulk storage – TertiaryINFORMATION
and Off-line storage.
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Smaller and faster

Larger and slower

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Review questions
• Why we require ternary and quadrate storages? What are they?
• How data is fetched for and operation? How data read and write
operations work?

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Thank you!!!

Next theory class … Online essentials

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