Data Storage
Uploaded by
abdul.mannan.bcs.24Data Storage
Uploaded by
abdul.mannan.bcs.24Computer Science
Teacher: Maruf Ahmed
Chapter 3 (Hardware)
Data storage
PRIMARY MEMORY
-May be volatile (RAM) or Non-volatile (ROM)
-Directly accessible by the processor
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Features of RAM
Volatile/temporary memory (contents lost if computer is turned off)
Used to store; data, files, part of the operating system etc. that are in use
It can be written to or read from and the contents from the memory can be changed
There are two types of RAM. One is DRAM and the other is SRAM.
DRAM (Dynamic RAM) and SRAM (Static RAM) differences:
DRAM consists of number of transistors and capacitors to hold data whereas SRAM uses ‘flip
flops’ to hold data
DRAM requires periodically refresh (recharge is needed) whereas SRAM does not
DRAM is much less expensive to manufacture than SRAM
DRAM consume less power than SRAM
DRAM has a higher storage capacity than SRAM
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Features of ROM
Read Only Memory
Non-volatile memories (contents remain even when computer is turned off)
Used to store start up instruction (basic input/output systems)
Data/contents of a ROM chip can only be read, cannot be changed
Different types of ROM are available now such as PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM
(Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM)
INTERNAL SECONDARY STORAGE
-It is non-volatile / permanent
-It is not directly accessed by the CPU
-Usually has large capacity
-Example: Hard disk, Solid State Drive (SSD)
How magnetic storage stores data:
– Storage device has platters
– Platters/disk divided into tracks
– Storage platter / disk is spun
– Has a read/write arm that moves across storage media
– Read/writes data using electromagnets
– Uses magnetic fields to control magnetic dots of data 1
– Magnetic field determines binary value
How SSD operates:
• Flash storage (Flash storage is a data storage technology based on high-speed, electrically
programmable memory. The speed of flash storage is how got its name: It writes data and
performs random I/O operations in a flash)
• Uses transistors/controls gates/floating gates
• Can be NAND/NOR technology // Can use flip-flops
• Stores data by flashing it onto the chips/device
• Controlling/using the flow of electrons through/using transistors/chips/gates
• The electric current reaches the control gate and flows through to the floating gate to be stored
• When data is stored the transistor is converted from 1 to 0 / 0 to 1
Differences between SSD and HDD:
• HDD has moving parts but SSD does not
• HDD uses magnetic storage whereas SSD uses flash memory
• HDD is slower to access data than SSD // HDD has greater latency than SSD
• HDD will create noise/heat, whereas SSD runs quieter/cooler
• HDD has higher power consumption than SSD
• HDD have greater longevity/more read-write cycles whereas SDD has lower longevity/limited
number of read-write cycles
• HDD larger in physical size/heavier than SSD
• HDD is normally cheaper for the same capacity of storage as SSD
• HDD is available in a larger storage capacity than SSD
EXTERNAL (OFF-LINE) SECONDOARY STORAGE
-It is non-volatile
-Can be easily disconnected from the computer
-It is not directly accessed by the CPU
-Examples: CD, DVD, DVD-RAM, Blu-Ray disk, USB flash memies, External hard disk, External SSD
etc.
How data is read from a CD:
– (Red) laser is used
– (Laser beams) shines onto surface of the disk
– It is rotated (at a constant speed) to be read
– Surface is covered in a track (that spirals from the centre)
– Data is represented on the surface using pits and lands
– Pits and lands represent binary values
– Pits reflect light back differently (to the area in between/land)
– Optical device can determine the binary value from the light reflection
CD/DVD Disks
Laser (red) light is used to read and write data in the surface of the disk
Wavelength of laser light used by CD is more than DVD
Use a thin layer of metal alloy to store data
Both systems use a single, spiral track which runs from the centre of the disk to the edge
The data is stored in ‘pits’ and ‘bumps’ on the spiral track.
DVD uses Dual-Layering which increases the storage capacity (two individual recoding layers)
2
DVD RAM
uses a number of concentric tracks
use of concentric tracks allows simultaneous read and write operations to take place
they have greater longevity and allows numerous read and write operations.
Blu-ray Disks
Uses spiral track to store data
Uses blue or violet laser to carry out read and write operations
Wavelength of laser light is less than CD and DVD (stores up to five times more data than
DVD)
Automatically come with secure encryption (prevent piracy and copyright infringement)
Used as back-up systems
USB Flash Memories
Very small, lightweight suitable for transferring files
Small back-up devices for photo, music
Uses Solid state NAND technology so need to be treated with care
Technologies used for Secondary storage and off-line storage:
Three technologies are used for Secondary storage and off-line storage:
Name of the technologies Name of the device
Magnetic Hard disk drive (HDD)
External hard disk drive
Magnetic tape
Floppy disk
Solid state Solid state drive (SSD)
USB Flash memory
SD card
Optical CD
DVD
DVD RAM
Blu-ray disk
Virtual memory:
One of the problems associated with memory management is the case when processes run out of
RAM. If the amount of available RAM is exceeded due to multiple programs running, it is likely to
cause a system crash. This can be solved by utilising the hard disk drive (or SSD) if we need more
memory. This is the basis behind virtual memory. Essentially RAM is the physical memory, while
virtual memory is RAM + swap space on the hard disk or SSD.
Cloud computing:
Accessing a service/files/software on a remote server
Public cloud and Private cloud: 3
Public e.g.
Computing services offered by 3rd party provider over the public Internet
Public is open/available to anyone with the appropriate equipment/software/credentials
Private e.g.
Computing services offered either over the Internet or a private internal network
Only available to select users not the general public
Private is a dedicated/bespoke system only accessible for/from the organization
Benefits of using cloud computing:
Can be accessed anywhere with Internet access
Do not need to install security // security might be better
Do not need to perform backups
Do not need to buy specific software/hardware
Can easily share documents
Can have multiple people working on the same document
Drawbacks of using cloud computing:
You cannot access it if no internet access
Reliant on someone else to backup
Reliant on someone else for security // can have poorer security
Cannot access if server goes down
