ICT (0417) Syllabus 2011

Storage Media
Magnetic Fixed hard disc

Description

Advantages

Disadvantages

Use/Access type/Speed To store the operating system and working data. Storing application data that requires fast retrieval/stor age Real time and online systems File servers for computer networks Direct access, very fast access times Can be used as backup systems to prevent loss of data Can be used to transfer data, files and software between computers Direct access, fast data access times Used in applications using batch processing

Miniature hard disc

Magnetic tapes

Main method for data storage and are available on all computers. The surface is coated with a magnetic film and the magnetic properties of the disc can be altered to represent binary code (1, 0). The hard disc will usually store the disc operating system (DOS) and other important files or software Works in the same way as a fixed hard drive except that it can be moved around. It connects to the computer via the USB port. They are capable of storing more data than an equivalent optical disk This is a thin strip of material coated with a magnetic layer.

Very fast data transfer rate Very fast access time Large memory capacity

Fragile, easily damaged if not shut down properly Not portable

Fast data transfer rate Fast access times Large memory capacities Can be used as a method of transferring information between computers Cheaper than an equivalent capacity

Can be damaged if dropped or not shut down correctly

Access time is slow When updating,

ICT (0417) Syllabus 2011 Data is stored in magnetic areas which represent 1s or 0s (Binary code). Data is written to and read from in sequence, which is known as serial access. It is best suited to offline or batch processing Optical CD-ROM hard disc Very robust technology. It wont break easily Fast data transfer rate another tape is needed (original tape + tape with the change = updated tape) e.g. in billing. As a backup media since all data is stored Serial access, slow access times

DVD-ROM

The ROM means Read Only Memory. Data cannot be written, only read. The data is stored as a series of pits (1) and lands (0) in the metallic optical layer. These are read by a laser that spirals from the centre outwards. Pits and lands reflect light differently and can be interpreted by the computer

Hold far more information than floppy disks Less expensive than a hard disk system

Slow data access time Slow data transfer rate

CD-R

DVD-R

The single R means the disk is only recordable once. After that it becomes a

Cheaper than RW disks Once burned they become

Can only be recorded once. If an error occurs the disk must be

Can be used by manufacture rs to store music, videogames and reference software DVDROMs can store much more memory and so are used for movies or even very sophisticate d video games Direct access, slow data access time Used for home recordings. To store data to be kept for a

ICT (0417) Syllabus 2011 ROM. Data is also stored as pits or lands and is read by a laser in the same way. The disc is coated with a thin layer of organic dye as the recording media. ROM disks thrown away not all CD/DVD players can read CDR/DVD-R later use To transfer data between computers In applications where it is important to prevent deletion/ove r-writing Direct access/ fast access times To record radio/televis ion programs In CCTV systems Direct access/ fast access times

Can be re used many times Can use different file formats each time Not as wasteful as R since data can be added on later

CD-RW

DVD-RW

DVD-RAM

RW stands for Re-Writable. Unlike R, these can be written to and read from many times. The recording layer is a special phase changing metal alloy. It can be either crystalline or amorphous, changing its reflectivity. A laser can read the spots and interpret it as 1 or 0 Unlike other DVD formats, these have several separate circular paths instead of one long spiral. This means reading and writing can occur

Relatively expensive media Possible to accidently over-write data

Very long life Many rewrites before it breaks Very reliable as there is built in verification

Many systems do not recognize the format Very expensive

Used in recording devices that need simultaneou s playback and recording Used in camcorders to store film

ICT (0417) Syllabus 2011 simultaneously. The surface is coated with similar phase changing material to RW. It can be either shiny or dull software Access is very fast with small files No need to finalise the disc Very large storage capacity Can read and write simultaneou sly Large storage capacity so can be used to store HD films. Fast data transfer rate Fast data access speed Direct access/ fast access times

Blu-ray

Largest capacity of all the storage devices mentioned (up to 100 Gb of memory). The laser used is blue rather than red (opposite sides of the spectrum) meaning the light has a shorter wavelength and can read more data on the disc.

Very expensive There are still problems with the encryption (to stop piracy)

Used in home videos For storing and playing films in HD PCs can use this technology for back-up storage Camcorders use blu-ray to store film footage Direct access/ fast data access time

Solid state

ICT (0417) Syllabus 2011 Memory sticks (pen drives) Memory sticks can store lots of Gb using solid state technology. They are very small and portable and connect to a computer through the USB port. These devices also have another use. They can be used to stop piracy or expensive software. When the software is being installed the computer sends a request asking for the encryption validation key. When used like this it is called a dongle. These are a form of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and another example of solid state backing Compact and portable Very robust Not possible to protect the files Small size makes them easy to lose/ steal Transporting files between computers or as backup Security devices-a dongle- to prevent software piracy Direct access/ fast access time

Flash memory cards

Very compact. They can be used to transfer files from one device to another Very robust

Finite number of times they can be read from/ written to Lower storage capacity than a hard disc

Used to store photos on video cameras Mobile phones use them for memory Used in MP3 players to store music Used as a back-up store in handheld

ICT (0417) Syllabus 2011 computer devices