ICT

Chapter 3: Storage Devices and Media

3.1 Magnetic media and magnetic storage

devices

Storage Media Uses Characteristic Advantages Disadvantage

Devices

Magnetic Magnetic ●Batch ●Plastic strip Cheaper per • Very slow

Tape Drivers Tape processing coated with byte than access (serial
(payroll, utility magnetic HDD. access).
billing). layer (iron
oxide). • Robust and • Updating
●Backup of stable for needs new
huge • Serial long-term master tape
amounts of access (data use. (slow +
data. read in order error-prone).
it was • Very large
• Long-term written). storage • Easily
data capacity corrupted by
archiving. ●Very slow magnetic
access time fields.
but high
transfer rate.

Fixed Hard Magnetic ●Storing OS, ●Multiple Fast data ●Easily

Disk Drives hard disk system platters transfer and damaged
(HDDs) platters software, coated in iron access. (e.g. head
applications, oxide. crash).
user files. • Very large
●Read/write memory
●Real-time heads use capacity. ●Many
and online direct access. moving parts
systems Direct access → less
(airline • Rotates up possible reliable than
booking, to 10,000 SSD.
stock rpm with fast
control). data retrieval. ●Noisy
operation
• File servers
in networks.

Portable Magnetic ●Backup ●External ●Fast access ●Easily

Hard Disk hard disk systems to HDDs and transfer. damaged if
Drives platters prevent data connected dropped or
(inside loss. via USB. • High mishandled.
 casing) memory
●Transfer of • Portable capacity. • Slower
files and and transfer rate
software removable. ●Convenient than fixed
between for file HDD.
computers. • Same transfer
technology ●Still more
• Portable as fixed fragile
storage for HDD. compared to
large files. SSD.

3.2 Optical Media and Storage Devices

CD-R / Optical disk ●Storing ●Use a red ●Cheap ●Can only be

DVD-R (single-layer) music laser to compared to written once.
(CD-R), films read/write. RW discs.
(DVD-R). ●Errors mean
• Spiral track • Once the whole
●Data with pits and written, it acts disk is
storage/ lands. as ROM. wasted.
transfer.
• Write-once ●Lightweight •Compatibility
●Distributing only. and portable. issues with
media/ some
software. players.

CD-RW / Optical disk ●Recording ●Same as R ●Can be ●More

DVD-RW (rewritable) TV but reused many expensive
programmes rewritable. times. than R discs.
(can be
overwritten). ●Red laser, • Supports • Easy to
spiral track. different file accidentally
• CCTV formats. overwrite.
systems. ●Can erase
and rewrite ●Not wasteful • Slower than
• Backup for many times. - can add HDD/SSD.
files/data. files later

CD-ROM / Optical ROM ●Music, ●Permanent, ●Cheaper ●Slower

DVD-ROM disk software, read-only than HDD. access/transf
encyclopaedi storage. er than HDD.
as. ●Permanent
• Red laser, data (not • Limited
●Games, spiral track. erasable). storage
films, compared to
educational ●Cannot be • Easy Blu-ray/
 material. altered or distribution. HDD.
deleted. ●Can be
• Applications scratched or
where damaged.
overwriting
must be
prevented.

Blu-ray Discs Optical ●HD movies ●Uses blue ●Very large ●Relatively
Blu-ray disc. and video laser storage (up expensive.
games. (405 nm) → to 50 GB+).
smaller pits, ●Encryption
• Data higher ●Very fast can cause
backup on storage. transfer and issues with
computers. access video.
●Single or speeds.
• Camcorders dual-layer (25 • Competition
and GB - 50 GB ●Comes with from
consoles. capacity). encryption HD-DVD/
system streaming
• Built-in reduced
encryption to popularity
prevent
piracy.

3.3 Solid-state media and solid-state storage devices

Storage Medias Characteristics Uses Advantages Disadvantages

1. Magnetic 1. Uses 1. Used as the 1. Large storage 1. Slower data

Storage magnetic main storage in capacity at access
coating on desktop and relatively low compared to
a)Magnetic Hard spinning disks to laptop cost per GB. SSDs.
Disks (HDDs) store data. computers.
2. Can be 2.Mechanical
2. Non-volatile 2. Storing reused and parts make them
memory (retains operating rewritten many prone to
data without systems, times. damage if
power). applications, dropped.
and user data. 3. Longer life
3. Has span for 3. Bulkier and
mechanical 3. Backing up archiving data heavier than
moving parts large files (e.g., compared to solid-state
(read/ write videos, photos, tapes. storage.
heads and databases).
 spinning
platters)

1. Magnetic 1. Sequential 1. Used by 1. Very large 1. Very slow

Storage access storage businesses for storage capacity. access
using long-term data (sequential
b) Magnetic magnetically backup and 2. Cheap per GB only).
Tapes coated tape. archiving. compared to
other storage. 2.Requires
2. Non-volatile 2. Storing large special tape
(data retained volumes of data 3. Durable for drives to read/
without power). (e.g., research long-term write.
data, logs). storage (up to
3. Requires tape 30 years). 3. Not portable
drives to 3. Used in or practical for
read/write data. mainframe everyday users
systems where
sequential
access is
acceptable.

2. Optical 1. Uses a laser 1. Storing music 1. Cheap to 1. Limited

Storage to read/write albums in digital produce and storage capacity
data on format. buy. (about 700 MB).
a)CDs (Compact reflective
Discs) surfaces. 2. Distributing 2. Portable and 2. Easily
software and lightweight. scratched or
2. Non-volatile small data files. damaged.
storage. 3. Can be read
3. Backup of on most 3.Slower
3. Portable and photos and CD/DVD drives. read/write
scratch-sensitive small personal speeds
files compared to
modern storage.

2. Optical 1.Similar to CDs 1. Storing 1. Larger 1. Still limited

Storage but higher movies and storage capacity capacity
storage capacity. video data. than CDs (up to compared to
b) DVDs (Digital 4.7-8.5 GB). HDDs and
Versatile Discs) 2. Non-volatile 2. Distributing SSDs.
memory using larger software 2. Widely
optical laser packages or supported by 2. Prone to
technology. games. DVD players scratches and
and computers. physical
3. Can be single 3. Backing up damage.
or dual layer for personal data. 3. Cheap to
more data produce and 3. Slower
distribute read/write
speeds
compared to
 flash memory

2. Optical 1. Uses 1.High-definition 1. Very high 1. Requires a

Storage blue-violet laser movie storage. storage capacity Blu-ray drive
for higher data (25 GB single (not common in
c) Blu-ray Discs density. 2. Backing up layer, 50 GB modern
large data files dual layer). laptops/PCs).
2. Non-volatile (e.g., videos,
storage. games). 2. High-quality 2. More
video and audio expensive than
3.High-capacity, 3. Professional storage. CDs and DVDs.
often used for data distribution
HD video and requiring high 3. More durable 3. Becoming
large files. capacity with protective obsolete due to
coating streaming and
compared to cloud storage.
CDs/DVDs.

3. Solid-State 1. No moving 1. Main storage 1. Very fast data 1. More

Storage parts - all in modern access and expensive per
electronic. laptops, transfer speeds. GB compared to
a) SSDs desktops, and HDDs.
2.Uses NAND tablets. 2. No moving
flash memory parts - more 2. Limited
(0s and 1s 2. Used in reliable and number of write
stored via servers for fast durable. cycles (finite
floating/control data access. lifespan).
gate transistors). 3. Lightweight
3. Running and 3. Smaller
3. Non-volatile operating energy-efficient maximum
and fast access systems and (good for storage capacity
times. applications laptops). than large
quickly. HDDs.

3. Solid-State 1. Portable 1. Transferring 1. Very small, 1. Easy to lose

Storage solid-state files between portable, and due to small
storage with computers. lightweight. size.
b) Pen Drives USB interface.
(Memory Sticks) 2. Small-scale 2. Robust and 2. Risk of
2. Non-volatile backups not affected by corruption if
memory. (photos, magnetic fields. removed
documents, incorrectly.
3. Small, music). 3. Easy
lightweight, and plug-and-play 3. Limited
robust. 3. Used as through USB storage capacity
security dongles ports compared to
to prevent HDD/SSD.
software piracy.

3. Solid-State 1. Removable 1. Storing 1. Compact and 1. More

 Storage solid-state photos/videos in easy to swap expensive per
memory. digital cameras. between GB than HDDs.
c) Memory devices.
Cards (SD, XD, 2. Non-volatile, 2. Expanding 2. Lower
CFast) stores data memory in 2. Durable (no capacity
electronically. smartphones, moving parts). compared to
tablets, and MP3 hard drives.
3. Small, players. 3. Can store
compact, and large amounts of 3. Easy to
durable 3. Portable data for portable lose/damage
backup for small devices. due to small
devices. size.

3.4 Future of Storage Devices

Future of Storage Devices (3.4)

Characteristics / Trends

1. CDs and DVDs are becoming obsolete in modern computers.

2. Flash memory (USB drives, SD cards) is now the primary method of file transfer.

3. Streaming and cloud storage are replacing physical storage for music and movies.