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IT 602 assignment 2 solution

The document compares the evolution of computer storage systems, highlighting key differences in technology, capacity, and physical size among drum memory, IBM RAMAC 350, and LTO-7 tape. It also discusses the advantages of snapshotting over cloning for creating test environments, emphasizing efficiency, speed, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. Cloning is noted as a viable option when an independent copy of data is necessary, despite its higher resource demands.

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Mahiraa Shahzadi
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26 views2 pages

IT 602 assignment 2 solution

The document compares the evolution of computer storage systems, highlighting key differences in technology, capacity, and physical size among drum memory, IBM RAMAC 350, and LTO-7 tape. It also discusses the advantages of snapshotting over cloning for creating test environments, emphasizing efficiency, speed, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. Cloning is noted as a viable option when an independent copy of data is necessary, despite its higher resource demands.

Uploaded by

Mahiraa Shahzadi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IT Infrastructure (IT602) Total marks

Assignment # 02 = 15
Fall 2024
FAIQA
SHAHZADI
(BC230209196)

Questions No. 01 Marks (10)

Key Differences in Technology, Capacity, and Physical Size

The evolution of computer storage systems is truly fascinating, and comparing iconic devices like drum
memory, the IBM RAMAC 350, and the LTO-7 tape highlights the advancements in storage technology,
capacity, and physical size.

1. Drum Memory (1940s-1950s)

 Technology: Drum memory was one of the earliest forms of computer storage. It used a rotating drum
coated with a magnetic material and read/write heads positioned along the drum's surface. Data was
stored magnetically on the drum’s surface.
 Capacity: The storage capacity was relatively small, typically around a few kilobytes. For instance,
some drum memories could store approximately 10 KB to 50 KB of data.
 Physical Size: Drum memory devices were large and bulky, often as big as a small washing machine.
They were not portable and required significant space.

2. IBM RAMAC 350 (1956)

 Technology: The IBM RAMAC 350 was the first commercially available hard disk drive. It utilized
multiple spinning magnetic disks (platters) and read/write heads that moved to access data. It introduced
random access to storage, a significant improvement over sequential storage methods.
 Capacity: The IBM RAMAC 350 could store approximately 5 MB of data, a groundbreaking
achievement for its time.
 Physical Size: The device was enormous, taking up the size of two refrigerators. It was not only heavy
but also required a dedicated space for operation.

3. LTO-7 Tape (2015)

 Technology: LTO-7 (Linear Tape-Open) is a modern magnetic tape storage technology. It uses a linear
serpentine recording method and offers fast read/write speeds and high durability. LTO tapes are
primarily used for backup and archival purposes.
 Capacity: An LTO-7 tape can store up to 6 TB of data (uncompressed) and 15 TB (compressed),
demonstrating a huge leap in storage capacity.
 Physical Size: Unlike its predecessors, the LTO-7 tape is compact and portable, roughly the size of a
VHS tape. Its small form factor makes it easy to handle and store.

Questions No. 02 Marks (05)


When deciding between cloning and snapshotting for creating test environments, the choice depends on the
organization’s specific needs. However, I would recommend snapshotting for the following reasons:

1. Efficiency in Data Storage

 Snapshots are lightweight because they only capture the state of the data at a specific point in time. They
do not duplicate the entire dataset, unlike cloning, which creates a full copy. This makes snapshotting
more storage-efficient.

2. Speed of Creation

 Creating a snapshot is much faster compared to cloning because snapshots only record changes made
after the snapshot is taken, rather than copying all the data. This allows the organization to generate test
environments quickly.

3. Cost-Effectiveness

 Since snapshotting requires less storage space, it is more cost-effective, especially when frequent copies
are needed. Cloning, on the other hand, increases storage requirements and associated costs.

4. Flexibility in Testing

 Snapshots can be used to quickly revert to a previous state if something goes wrong during testing. This
makes them highly flexible for iterative testing processes.

When Cloning Might Be Needed

 Cloning could be a better option if the test environments require an independent, fully functional copy of
the data that can be used without relying on the original dataset. However, this comes at the cost of time
and storage.

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