Computer Storage Devices

Definition of Computer Storage Devices.??

?????????????????????Any form of computational hardware that is been utilized for storing, transferring, or extracting data files and objects is referred to as a storage device. Information may be held and stored in storage devices both momentarily and permanently. They can be found both within and outside of a computer, server, or computing device. Storage devices are one of the core components of computing devices. The Williams-Kilburn Tube, invented in 1947, was the first completely electronic data storage device. The earliest storage technologies were mechanical systems based on punch cards and, subsequently, magnetic tape. ?When saving anything on a computer, it may ask for a storage location, which is the location information is saved?(Allan, 1998). By default, most information is saved to your computer hard drive?(Allan, 1998).

Depending on the type of underlying device, storage devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A conventional computer, for example, includes numerous storage devices such as RAM, a cache, and a hard drive.

The Usage of Storage Devices.

• ????Application and user data are stored on storage devices such as hard disk drives and USB flash drives. This storage is permanent, meaning it remembers the data it stores even if the machine is turned off.
• We can use storage devices to store our files and applications on our devices.
• A large amount of data can be stored in small storage space.
• The storage devices’ memory is re-programmable and can retain content without power.
• Storage is also important for backup and recovery, should our data be harmed.
• Data analysis and forecasting become very easy by using storage devices.
• They help in keeping a record of all the past activities and transactions.
• The data which is saved in storage devices may be readily moved from one location to another, giving the user a lot of freedom and mobility.
• Storage devices help to increase the efficiency and performance of the computer.
• They help in reducing the burden on the human brain in remembering things.

Types of Storage

There are four types of storage.

• Primary Storage
• Secondary Storage
• Tertiary Storage
• Offline Storage

1.???Primary Storage

??????????????????????Primary storage (also known as main memory) is the component of the computer that holds data, programs and instructions that are currently in use?(google.com, n.d.). In the storage devices primary storage is in the motherboard. Primary storage is required and serves the purpose of storing data and programs that are currently being used by the CPU. Some primary storage devices are integrated within the CPU chip itself and have a direct link to the CPU core. Because primary storage devices are incredibly fast, the CPU may operate at maximum speed. CPU continuously reads instructions stored there and executes those instructions as required.

• RAM

It is called Random Access Memory because any data in RAM may be accessed just as quickly as any other data.

????????????????????????????????????????Two types of RAM: Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM)

Static Random-Access Memory?(SRAM)

• ROM

ROM stands for Read Only Memory. It refers to computer memory chips containing permanent or semi-permanent data?(University Information Technology Services, 2018) Unlike RAM, ROM is non-volatile; even after you turn off your computer, the contents of ROM will remain?(University Information Technology Services, 2018).

RAM?????Vs????ROM

• Cache

The cache is a location with high-speed access. It might be a storage device or a reserved part of the main memory. A computer's additional memory system temporarily stores frequently used instructions and data for faster processing by the central processor unit. A computer's primary memory is supplemented by the cache, which acts as an extension of it.?

2.???Secondary Storage

Secondary storage called auxiliary storage, backup storage device and external storage too. It is not directly accessible by the CPU. Secondary storage technologies refer to storage devices and storage media that are not always directly accessible by a computer?(TechTerms, 2009). This differs from primary storage technology, such as an internal hard drive, which is constantly available?(TechTerms, 2009).

• ?Secondary storage typically accommodates data sizes ranging from a few megabytes to petabytes.
• ?They are used for a variety of purposes ranging from backup data used for future restores or disaster recovery, long-term archiving of data that is not frequently accessed, and storage of non-critical data in lower-performing, less expensive drives?(Techopedia, n.d.).
• ?Secondary storage devices include:·???????Hard disk drives (HDDs), Solid-state drives (SSDs), CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, SD cards, Cloud storage.

Primary storage vs Secondary storage

3.???Tertiary Storage

• Tertiary storage is also known as nearline storage because it is near to online.
• This is primarily useful for large data stores, accessed without human operators.
• It is a large-scale computer storage system that is often sluggish, thus it is typically used to store data that isn't accessed regularly.
• Tertiary storage comprises high-capacity data archives designed to incorporate vast numbers of removable media, such as tapes or optical discs?(Sterling, 2018).
• Typical examples include: Magnetic tape libraries, Optical jukeboxes.

4.???Offline Storage

???????????????????Offline storage is also known as disconnected storage. Off-line storage is a computer data storage on a medium or a device that is not under the control of a processing unit?(Wikipedia, n.d.). Storage not connected to the internet Is a type of computer data storage that takes place on a media or device that is not controlled by a processing unit. Any storage media that must be physically inserted into a system every time a user wishes to view or update data is referred to as offline storage.?Examples: Portable hard disks, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, SD cards.

• Offline storage is used for backup and transfer in the event of unforeseeable occurrences like hardware failure due to a power loss or files damaged by computer viruses.

Types of Computer Storage Devices

There are many types of computer storage devices, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.?

Magnetic Storage Devices

Data must be stored in digital format in computer systems. Magnetic data storage is one of the most utilized kinds of digital data storage. Any form of data storage that uses magnetic media is referred to as this. Binary data, which is data in the form of zeros and ones, make up digital data. Magnetic polarities are divided into two categories, each of which represents either zero or one.

• Magnetic storage is a form of non-volatile storage.
• Magnetic media are used in computer systems, including magnetic tape, floppy disks, and hard disk drives.

• Magnetic Tape was introduced by Fritz Pfleumer in 1928, and primary objective of magnetic tape of using was recording voice. It is traditional technology, but now it is replaced by CD and DVD?(unknown, n.d.).

Optical Storage Devices

Optical storage is also known as “Optical media” or “Optical memory” or “Optical medium”. In the optical storage devices, all data is saved like as patterns of dots which can be easily read with using of LIGHT?(google.com, n.d.). Laser Beam is used like as “Light Source”?(google.com, n.d.).

The most common types of optical media; Blu-ray Disk (BD), Compact Disc (CD),Digital Versatile Disc (DVD).

Flash Memory Devices

• ?Flash memory is a non-volatile form of electronic data storage.
• This technology is visible in many forms. Some of them are USB memory sticks, compact flash cards and SD memory cards.
• A small, portable flash memory card that acts as a portable hard drive when plugged into a computer's USB connection.
• A flash memory storage disk is widely found in consumer electronic gadgets such as digital cameras, MP3 players, mobile phones, and other tiny portable devices.
• Memory cards are typically read by connecting the card's device to your computer or using a USB card reader.

?Online Cloud Storage Devices

Cloud storage is a cloud computing concept in which data is stored on the Internet and managed and operated by a cloud computing provider. It's on-demand, with just-in-time capacity and pricing, and it saves us money by not having to acquire and manage our own data storage infrastructure.

• Benefits of using cloud storage ; Usability and accessibility, Security, Multiple users can access, Disaster recovery, Convenient sharing of files.
• Top Cloud Storage Services of 2020 ; Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, iDrive.
• There are three types of cloud data storage ; Object Storage, File Storage, Block Storage.

Most used storage devices

1)???Hard-Disk

• A computer’s hard drive is a device consisting of several hard disks, read/write heads, a drive motor to spin the disks, and a small amount of circuitry, all sealed in a metal case to protect the disks from dust?(Britannica, 2021).
• The hard disks are flat circular plates made of aluminum or glass and coated with a magnetic material. Hard disk access time is measured in milliseconds.

2)????Optical Disk

• A low-powered laser beam is used to write and read from an optical disc, which is an electronic data storage media.
• It is primarily used as a portable and secondary storage device.
• These optical disks are generally used to:

i. Distribute software to the customers.

ii. Store large amounts of data such as images and videos.

iii. Backup data from a local machine.

3)????Memory Card

• Memory cards are typically read by connecting the card's device to your computer or using a USB card reader.
• A memory card, sometimes known as a memory cartridge, is an electronic data storage device that uses flash memory to store digital data.
• Memory cards can offer large amount of storage space while being small.

4)????Floppy Disk

• A floppy disk or floppy diskette is a type of disk storage composed of a thin and flexible disk of a magnetic storage medium in a square or nearly square plastic enclosure lined with a fabric that removes dust particles from the spinning disk?(unknown, google.com, n.d.).
• Floppy disks are slower to access and have less storage space than hard disks, but they are less costly.
• Floppy disk drives are portable, and they still have some limited uses.

5)????USB Flash Drive

• A USB flash drive can store important files and data backups, carry favorite settings or applications, run diagnostics to troubleshoot computer problems or launch an OS from a bootable USB?(Wilson, n.d.).
• A small, portable flash memory card that acts as a portable hard drive when plugged into a computer's USB connection.
• USB flash drive is used for storage, data back-up, and transferring of computer files.

Characteristics of computer storage devices

• Capacity

The amount of disk space provided by one or more storage devices is referred to as storage capacity.?

It is a measurement of how much data a computer system can hold.

• Speed

Speed is how quickly the computer can read and write data can be accessed.

Access speeds are measured in bytes per second (Bps).

• Portability

Portability is how easy it is to move it from one computer to another.

As we use more devices around us, portability is becoming increasingly important for storage devices. Lightweight and small are two characteristics of portable devices.

Portable storage devices (PSDs) are data storage and retrieval devices that attach to a computer's USB connection.

• Durability

Durability is toughness of the storage devices.

Durability refers to an item's ability to endure physical movement or even being dropped.

Devices that need to be transported between locations regularly need to be durable to prevent them from being easily damaged?(Billinghurst, n.d.).

• Reliability

Reliability refers to whether the data will be saved as expected.

It’s easy to confuse durability and reliability, but reliability refers to whether a device can be relied upon to work time and time again?(Billinghurst, n.d.).

• Cost

The cost of storage can be looked at in some ways.

We can calculate cost per storage unit by price per gigabyte or megabyte.

References

(n.d.). Retrieved from google.com: https://digitalthinkerhelp.com/what-is-optical-storage-types-devices-examples-advantages-disadvantages/

Allan. (1998). Computer Hope. Retrieved from https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/stordevi.htm

Billinghurst. (n.d.). TeachAuAboutIt. Retrieved from https://teachallaboutit.school/characteristics-of-storage-types/

Britannica. (2021, june 28). Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/hard-disk

google.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=primary+storage&oq=primary+storage&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i20i263i512l2j0i512l7.8447j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Sterling. (2018). ScienceDirect. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/tertiary-storage

Techopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/13265/secondary-storage-device

TechTerms. (2009). Retrieved from https://techterms.com/definition/secondarystorage

University Information Technology Services. (2018). https://kb.iu.edu/d/ahua

unknown. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://digitalthinkerhelp.com/what-is-magnetic-storage-definition-devices-examples-and-types/

unknown. (n.d.). Retrieved from google.com: https://www.google.com/search?q=floppy+disk&oq=floopy&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i10j0i512j0i10l5j46i10j0i10.3590j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_data_storage

Wilson. (n.d.). TechTarget. Retrieved from https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/USB-drive

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