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: is a devise that stores data in form of tiny magnetised dots. And it is portable to you can
carry it around with you.
How it works: these dots are created and are read and erased using magnetic fields created by very tiny
electromagnets.
Examples of Devices/Media: backup tapes

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: solid state means no moving parts; it is a storage device that is based on electronic
circuits. It has a memory called flash memory which is non-volatile.
How it works: it works by allowing flash memory to save your work however it can be erased or changed. Many
devices can have flash memory.
Examples of Devices/Media: discs , memory sticks, memory cards

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: optical storage device saves data as patterns of dots that are read by using light beam.
How it works: the data is stored and read by using a laser bean and how it reflects deters if it is 0 or 1
Examples of Devices/Media: optical disc

Advantages and Disadvantages

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

Hard Disk Drive

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

1TB- 4

It can be used for

vast amounts of
data and perment
store the
operating system

It is normally
already inside the
computer or the
device and large
amount of
storage and quick
in speed and

If dropped then
you can loss
everything and
uses moving parts
so can cause loss
in memory

cheap

2tb

Back up and
transfer large
amounts of
storage between
2 computers

It allows you to
use a very large
amount of data
saved onto it and
you can move it
around

It is not big in size

so can be lost and
damaged easily

6-8 tb

Back up

Large amounts of
data and it is
quick access and
very reliable

Very slow in
speed and read
and write data

32 tb

Storage personal
things and sharing

You can take it

with you and is
light in weight

can only have

small amounts of
data and tiny life
spam and easily
lost

32tb

Photo graphs or
data on a tad let
or on a phone

You can take it

with you and is
light in weight

can only have

small amounts of
data and tiny life
spam and easily
lost

Portable HDD

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? It is an important role in computing history. It is hardware .
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage tape
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage advantage, it can come in al
different sizes and it is easy to process. disadvantage, can be quite slow in speed.

4. What is Random Access? It is the process of transferring information to or from a memory location. So it can
be accessed directly rather than being accessed in a fixed sequence.
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage a hard disk drive and a cd .
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage advantage, files can be
opened at the same time to read or write. Disadvantage, you can waste space.

Backup
What is the definition of Backup? it is an exact copy of your work that you have incase of the proper copy gets
damaged.

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage? Because back up is an exact copy and backing up
storage is not.

Give two reasons why backups should be used/made because your might get damaged or lost.