Chapter[3]
Storage
Characteristics of Backing Storage
Backing storage: long-term storage used to store data, files, and
programs when not in use e.g.:
o hard disk drives (HDD)
o solid-state drives (SSD)
o USB flash drives
o optical discs (CDs, DVDs)
Backing storage is typically slower than internal memory but has a
larger capacity
It is non-volatile, meaning it retains data when the computer is
powered off
Differences between Backing Storage & Internal Memory
Backing Storage Internal Memory
Temporary storage of data and
Long-term storage of files,
Function essential instructions while the
programs, and data
computer is running
HDD, SSD, USB flash
Example
drives, optical discs (CDs, RAM, ROM
s
DVDs)
Access
Slower Faster
Speed
Capacity Larger Smaller
Non-volatile (retains data
Volatility RAM: volatile, ROM: non-volatile
when powered off)
Storage Media
Storage
Examples Use Advantages Disadvantages
Media
Hard disks, Slower access time,
Long-term data High
Magneti moving parts,
Magnetic storage, backup, capacity, low
c Drives susceptible to
tape and archiving cost per GB
magnets
Data storage,
Portable, Limited capacity,
Optical CD, DVD, audio, video, and
durable, low susceptible to
Discs Blu-ray software
cost scratches
distribution
Memory
cards (SD, Fast data storage
Solid- xD, Fast access
for portable More expensive,
State time, no
devices and limited write cycles
Media CFast), USB moving parts
Drives, Solid modern computers
State Drives
Worked example
Give two error messages that may appear when trying to save to a CFast
solid-state memory card.
[2]
Two of:
Medium is full [1]
Corrupt card [1]
Write error [1]
Card error [1]
Card not initialised [1]
Virus found on the card [1]
Device not recognised [1]
Storage Devices
Storage
Use Media Advantages Disadvantages
Devices
Slower access time,
Long-term data High capacity
Magnetic Magneti moving parts,
storage, backup, (10TB), low
Drive c susceptible to
and archiving cost per GB
magnets
Fixed General-purpose Large storage
Magneti Moving parts,
Magnetic storage in capacity
c Hard vulnerable to
Hard computers and (5TB),
Disk physical damage
Drive servers relatively fast
Portable Portable
External storage for Magneti Slower than SSDs,
Magnetic (5TB), large
data transfer and c Hard vulnerable to
Hard storage
backup Disk physical damage
Drive capacity
Backup and High storage
Magnetic
archiving, Magneti capacity Slow access time,
Tape
especially for large c Tape (10TB), low sequential access
Drives
volumes of data cost
CD Audio and data CD Affordable, Low capacity
(700MB),
storage, software widely
susceptible to
distribution compatible
scratches
Higher capacity Higher Susceptible to
storage for data, capacity than scratches, lower
DVD DVD
video, and software CD (8.5GB), capacity than Blu-
distribution affordable ray
High-definition High capacity
More expensive,
video and high (50GB), high-
Blu-ray Blu-ray and requires
capacity data resolution
specific hardware
storage video storage
Fixed Fast access
Solid- Fast internal time, no
Solid- More expensive,
State storage for modern moving parts,
State limited write cycles
Drive computers high capacity
(SSD) (30TB)
Fast access
External storage for time, portable,
Portable Solid- More expensive,
fast data transfer no moving
SSD State limited write cycles
and backup parts, high
capacity (2TB)
Pen Drive Portable data Solid- Small size, fast Limited capacity
storage and transfer State read/write compared to other
speeds, high
for various devices storage devices
capacity (1TB)
Worked example
A program collects a large amount of data and this could be stored using
either a fixed solid-state drive (SSD) or cloud storage.
a. Describe four advantages to the school of using cloud storage rather
than using the SSD
[4]
Four of:
The cloud has greater storage capacity [1]
The data could be sent directly to/from the cloud from any
computer/device [1]
Storage capacity can be increased without adding additional physical
devices [1]
Many people can share the data [1]
The school would only pay for the storage used [1]
There is an automatic backup of data [1]
b. Describe three disadvantages to the school of using cloud storage
rather than using the SSD
[3]
Three of:
More security issues as multiple copies of the data are stored [1]
The school loses control over the storage of the data [1]
Cloud storage has an ongoing cost [1]
Users must have a reliable internet connection to store data [1]
Users must have an internet connection to access data [1]
