Computer Storage devices
What are computer storage devices?
Devices used to store computer data are called computer storage devices.
Usage of Storage Devices
There are a number of uses for storage devices. Among them, storage devices are mainly used to keep the essential data and applications safe in case the computer is damaged.
Storage devices also provide the ability to store data in separate folders.
Storage devices also allow you to transfer data from one computer to another or from one location to another.
Storage devices also provide the ability to temporarily store data that was working on the computer in the event of an emergency power outage.
Storage devices also play a major role in data editing.
(storage-devices, 2020)
Types of storage
There are four types of storage:
Primary Storage
A primary storage device is a medium that can be remembered for a short period of time when a computer is running.
Primary storage can include, for example, RAM, ROM, and Cache.
Computer random access memory (RAM) is an important component of determining system performance. RAM gives applications space for short-term data storage and access. (crucial.com, 2021)
There are two types of RAM:
Read-Only Memory (ROM), is a type of electronic storage that comes built into a device during manufacturing.
ROM stores “firmware,” which is permanent software that’s hard-wired with integrated circuits. The manufacturer fits a specifically designed ROM chip into a device during the building process. ROM memory cannot be easily or quickly overwritten or modified.
Types Of ROM:
(computer.howstuffworks.com, 2021)
Cache memory could be a chip-based pc element that produces retrieving information from the computer's memory additional economical. It acts as a brief hold that the computer's processor will retrieve information from simply. This temporary hold, referred to as a cache, is additional without delay obtainable to the processor than the computer's main memory supply, generally some style of DRAM.
Most computers nowadays escort associate degree L3 cache and L2 cache, whereas older computers enclosed solely L1 cache. (arrow.com, 2018)
Secondary Storage
Secondary storage is non-volatile storage devices that cannot be connected directly to the CPU, either internally or externally.
Secondary storage is also known as an auxiliary storage device, a backup storage device, external storage device.
The computer usually uses its input/output channels to access secondary storage and transfers the desired data using intermediate areas in primary storage.
Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) were commonly used as secondary storage in older computers, and Solid-State Drives (SSDs) are now widely used in modern computers.
(crucial.com, 2021)
Hard disks, also known as hard disks or hard disks, are used as a magnetic storage medium for computers. Hard disks are devices made of aluminum or sometimes glass, with flat round plates coated with magnetic material. Hard disks for modern personal computers have the ability to store information up to terabytes (trillions of bytes). The data is stored concentrated on their surface. (britannica.com, 2020)
Data is stored on a hard drive in binary code, using 1s and 0s. The information is spread out on the magnetic layer of the disk(s) and is read or written by the read heads that 'float' above the surface thanks to the layer of air produced by the ultra-fast rotation of the disk. (ontrack.com, 2021).
Most modern computers today use a solid-state drive (SSD). SSD uses flash-based memory, which is faster than a traditional mechanical hard drive. It also preserves data and maintains data security. As with HDDs, SSD can minimize port errors. (avast.com, 2021)
Tertiary Storage
Tertiary storage or tertiary memory provides the third level of storage. Typically, it involves a robotic mechanism that will mount (insert) and dismount removable mass storage media into a storage device according to the system's demands; such data are often copied to secondary storage before use. (quora.com, 2020)
Examples of tertiary storage are Magnetic Tape and Optical Disc.
Magnetic tape is one of the oldest technologies for electronic data storage. Tape is still used in some cases for archiving because it is the largest low cost and long-lasting. (searchdatabackup.techtarget.com, 2021)
An optical disk is any computer disk that uses visual storage technologies and technologies to read and write data. It uses laser beams to read and write data. (techopedia.com, 2021)
The most common types of visual media are
1. Blu ray Disc (BD)
2. Compact Disc (CD)
3. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
Offline Storage
Offline storage can be defined as any storage medium that a user must physically incorporate into a system to retrieve or edit data. (techopedia.com, 2021)
The following are examples of offline storage:
Floppy Disk
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Flexible disks or floppy disks are a type of disk storage that is covered with a square or rectangular plastic cover consisting of a thin and flexible disk of a magnetic storage medium. (wikipedia.org, 2021)
Zip Diskette
A zip disk is an advanced version of the floppy disk manufactured by Iomega. Zip disks are available in capacities ranging from 100MB to 250MB. In the past, they were used to store large amounts of data that ordinary storage disks could not. (techopedia.com, 2021)
With the advent of hard disks and compact discs, zip disks were eliminated from the market.
USB Flash Drive
A flash memory card is a portable device that can be connected to a computer's USB port and acts as a hard disk. (pcmag.com, 2020)
Memory Card
A memory card is a storage device used to store media and data files. It provides a permanent and non-volatile medium for storing data and files from the attached device. Memory cards are widely used in cameras and modern mobile phones. (techopedia.com, 2021)
Types of computer storage devices
In all magnetic storage devices, the data contained in it is stored in the magnetic media, and the data is stored in binary modes 0 and 1 in that medium. This magnetic storage also has a non-volatile nature. (digitalthinkerhelp.com, 2021)
Types of Magnetic Storage Devices:-
1. Hard Drive
2. Floppy Disk
3. Magnetic Tape
4. Magnetic Drum
5. Zip Diskette
Types of Optical Storage Devices:
1. CD-ROM
2. DVD-ROM
3. Blue Ray
4. HD DVD
5. CD-R & DVD-R
Flash memory is a non-volatile memory chip used to store and transfer data between a computer and a digital device. It has the ability to erase and restore the tooth. It is often found in USB flash drives, MP3 players, digital cameras, and mobile phones. (techopedia.com, 2021)
Cloud storage operates as a cloud computing model, and stores data over the Internet through a cloud computing provider that manages and activates data storage as a service. It is provided as per the requirement of the user.
Cloud storage can provide the benefits of greater accessibility and reliability, rapid deployment, strong protection for data backup, archival, and disaster recovery purposes.(teachcomputerscience.com, 2021)
Examples of Famous cloud storage devices:
1. iCloud
2. Google Drive
3. OneDrive
4. Dropbox
5. Box
Most used storage devices
Optical discs and flash reminiscence devices are maximum popular and to an awful lot of lesser volume removable hard disk drives. Incorporation uses, magnetic tape is main. Older examples are floppy disks, Zip disks, or punched cards. (digitalthinkerhelp.com, 2021)
Why do human beings use these storage devices?
Characteristics of computer storage devices
References
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(2021). Retrieved from computer.howstuffworks.com: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/question452.htm
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(2021). Retrieved from avast.com: https://www.avast.com/c-what-is-ssd
(2021). Retrieved from searchdatabackup.techtarget.com: https://searchdatabackup.techtarget.com/definition/magnetic-tape
(2021). Retrieved from wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk
(2021). Retrieved from digitalthinkerhelp.com: https://digitalthinkerhelp.com/what-is-magnetic-storage-definition-devices-examples-and-types/
(2021). Retrieved from techopedia.com: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2620/optical-disk
(2021). Retrieved from searchstorage.techtarget.com/: https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-storage
(2021). Retrieved from teachcomputerscience.com: https://teachcomputerscience.com/storage-devices/
(2021). Retrieved from bbc.co.uk: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/ztyd3k7/revision/4
crucial.com. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.crucial.com/articles/about-memory/support-what-does-computer-memory-do
storage-devices. (2020). Retrieved from experience.dropbox.com: https://experience.dropbox.com/get-organized/storage-devices
M.D. ERANDA
University Of Kelaniya
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