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: storage which uses tiny magnetic particals which are updated qwith an electro
How it works:they have been imprinted for harddrives
Examples of Devices/Media: cd
Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: Data stored on non-volatile memory chips.
How it works: stored on a sires of menmory chips, they are flash memory chips (non-volatile)
Examples of Devices/Media: memory sticks,

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: a method of reading a signal through a laser beam
How it works: it save data as patterns of dots can be read through light.
Examples of Devices/Media: cd and dvds.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Fill in the table below. Use the internet to help you. Delete this red text when youre done.
Type of Storage

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

3-4

Used to store all

data in a
computer system

Large capacity
and cheap

Virtually slow and

moving part that
can damage.

2-5

Storage of
personal data and
backups

Large capacity
and portable

Moving parts that

can damage

Hard Disk Drive

Portable HDD

6-8

Back up of severs

Large capacity
and last for a long
time

Only sutible for

backup no other
purpose

64-108gb

Portable storage
of files

Small size large

capacity and
cheap

Easily lost and

damaged

32-34gb

Extra storage in
phones and
tablets.

Small size

Easily lost and

damaged

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?
Its an ordering process; they access information or data in order.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage
Hard disks, magnetic tape and CD-ROMS.
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage
Advantage its more organised and high performance. Disadvantage- its quite complicated and a long
process.

4. What is Random Access?

Random access is when you have the ability to access data at random
; Not in an order.
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage
Most types of computers use random access memory (ram)
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage
It is the fastest storage and RAM is volatile.

Backup
What is the definition of Backup?
A copy of a file or other item of data made in case the original is lost or damaged.
Make a backup of any important files

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?

A backup copy is a secondary copy of a file you have on your computer.
Backing storage would be a USB drive, NAS or tape drive used to store your file backups.
Back up is the exact copy for disaster recovery.
Give two reasons why backups should be used/made
Extra copies of important data should be made on a regular basis; if the original files
Become corrupt then the data can be resorted from a backup copy.
Data could be changed accidentally.