STORAGE DEVICES

A) MAIN STORAGE
Also called main memory, primary storage or immediate access storage.
Its operation is wholly electronic, very fast and very reliable. It works in the same
way as the human memory in that it can retain or store information that may be
needed later. The main storage is located closely to the processor so that data is
almost instantly accessible from this memory. All data or information must first
be transferred to this memory before it can be processed. Main storage is used to
store data requiring processing. It is however limited in storage capacity, is also
expensive and is either volatile or non-volatile.
The main storage stores :-
i) instructions awaiting execution
ii) instructions currently being executed
iii) data awaiting processing
iv) data currently being processed
v) Information temporary after processing.

The main storage is divided into two memories i.e

 ROM
 RAM

Random access memory

is also known as direct access memory

RAM is volatile ie data is lost once power is turned off. This is also referred to
as the read and write memory; that is , you can both write data into RAM and read
data form the RAM. It allows alterations to be made.An area of main storage used
for data currently being used is called working storage and the area of data
awaiting processing or output is called the buffer area.

RAM has two sections namely dynamic and static ram

The dynamic Ram needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second. Static
RAM needs to be refreshed less often, which makes it faster; but it is also more
expensive than dynamic RAM. Both types of RAM are volatile.

Read Only Memory

this is non-volatile memory which provides an alternative to RAM all cell states
are stored permanently by the computer manufacturer. RAM is used to stored
data and information which are needed all the time by computer

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TYPES OF ROM

(1) PROM
PROGRAMMEABLE READ ONLY MEMORY can be programmed by
the user, unlike the normal ROM were data is permanently put into the
memory by the manufacturer.
Once programmed data is held permanently.

(2)EPROM (ERASABLE PROGRAMMEABLE ROM)

Like the PROM it can be programmed by the user but has the advantage that it
can be erased and be reprogrammed. However the EPROM be removed first
from the computer in order to be erased and special devices called EPROM
erasers & EPROM programmers are used for programming and erasing.

(3)EAPROM-
Electrically alterable ROM unlike EPROM this memory can be read erased
and be reprogrammed without removing it from the computer the erasing and
reprogramming is very slow compared to the reading and this is a limitation to
its use. It is called read mostly memory

EEROM- Electrically Erasable ROM just the same as EAROM.

FLASH MEMORY

This is a special type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks
instead of one byte at a time. Many modern PCs have their BIOS (Basic Input
output System) stored on a flash memory chip so that it can easily be updated if
necessary. Such BIOS is sometimes called a flash BIOS. Flash memory is also
popular in modems because it enables the modem manufacturer to support new
protocols as they become standardized.

CACHE MEMORY
is a temporary holding area for the data which is currently subject to repeated
access thus the processor can access this data more quickly and there is therefore
an improvement in speed. The cache memory is situated between the main storage
and the processor thus all data & instructions pass through this section. It has
limited holding capacity so incoming data overwrites old data.

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BACKING STORAGE /SECONDARY/AUXILLARY STORAGE.
Provides mass storage for files and programmes currently not being worked on but
will be transferred to the main memory when needed. I t is to supplement the
main memory which very fast in accessing data but expensive and limited in
capacity.

BACKING UP STORAGE DEVICES

DEVICE MEDIA
a) MAGNETIC DISC UNIT MAGNETIC DISK
b) MAGNETIC DISKETTE UNIT MAGNETIC DISKETTE
(Floppy)
(c)OPTICAL DISK UNIT OPTICAL DISK
c) MAGNETIC UNIT MAGNETIC TAPE

MAGNETIC DISKS
This is flat disk with a side or both coated with magnetic material that is
able to store data the two main types of magnetic disk are; the hard disk
and the floppy disk these differ in the material of which each is made.
The hard disk is metallic and is rigid whereas the floppy has a flexible
plastic base. Data is read from or written onto a magnetic disk by means of
special read/write head that operates at very high speeds. The disk is
divided into centric circles (circles with on centre), tracks and sectors.
The way in which tracks and sectors are laid out on the surface of the disk
is called the disk format. Usually different computers have different ways
of formatting disks. The floppy diskettes which are self-sectored can be
formatted to have more tracks and sectors.

1. Hard Disks
-these enable large amounts of data to be stored, accessed and read at very
high speeds, and this makes the hard disk essential for operations that
require the ability to access and update information rapidly. It stores data
very densely
- A single hard disk will have a Read/Write head on each side and some
other hard disks are combined to form a stack ranging from 2-12 platters.
-the hard disk can either be exchangeable or fixed.

a) Exchangeable Disks
-commonly found in minicomputers and mainframe computers.
- This can be a single disk or a stack of 12 platters.
- The term exchangeable implies that the disk can be loaded by the
operator.
-they are of a size and shape almost similar to a long playing record.
- Their storage capacity depends on the number of platters and the density
with which data is stored on the disk.
- The advantage of using this type of disk is that its secondary storage is
limitless.

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 - Data Pack is an example of exchangeable disk.
- These are used in the same way as the floppy diskettes.
- They are designed for the users who wish to carry their programs from
place to place.

b) Fixed Disk
These are put permanently in the computer, i.e. they are non-removable.
- They offer better performance than exchangeable disks.
- An example of a fixed disk is a Winchester Disk, which is a disk
widely used with microcomputers.
- Thus many more expensive PCs have Winchester disks built into the
casing.
- Winchester disks tend to be relatively small
- The Winchester disk technology was developed by the IBM in order to
overcome some problems associated with common disks.
- Winchester disks have toughened surfaces and Read/Write heads that
move closer to the disk surface, and when the disk stops, the heads
finally land on the disk surface.
- Their advantage is that they can operate in adverse environments that
are dusty or humid, with greater reliability.
- They also have
ADVANTAGES OF HARD DISKS

1) They can store a lot of data.

2) Data can be accessed quickly and stored quickly (random access and
organisation).
3) They are made of metal therefore they are durable and can sustain harsh
conditions like dust.
4) Information can be erased when is no longer needed.

DISADVANTAGES OF HARD DISKS

1) Magnetic oxide wears over a period of time

2) They are expensive
3) They are not potable – fixed they can not be removable.

MAGNETIC FLOPPY DISKS / DISKETTES

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The floppy disks comes in various sizes which include the
- 8 inch (low capacity)
- 51 inch (medium capacity)
4
- 3 1 inch (high capacity)
2

FLOPPY DISK UNITS / DRIVES

- Single drive are able to hold a single disk.

- They are often Inco-operated physically into the body of the P C.
- If the disk is inserted, the read and write heads come in contact with the surface of
the disk to commence reading or writing.

IT’S STRUCTURE

- Is made up of plastic material.

- They have one platter also divided into tracks and sectors like hard disks.
- It is also coated with magnetisable iron oxide.
- It is covered with a plastic protective envelope
- The cover has a slot which is slid open when the disk is inserted in the Unity
giving the disk drive heads access to the surface of the disk.

ZIP DISK

This are high—capacity floppy disk drives developed by the Iomega

Corporation. Zip disks are slightly larger than the conventional floppy disks,
and are about twice as thick. They can hold 100MB of data. Because they’re
relatively inexpensive and durable, they have become a popular media for
backing up hard disks and for transporting large files.

JAZ DISK

These are removable disk drives developed by the Iomega Corporation. The
Jaz drive has a 12-ms average seek time and transfer rate of 5.5Mbps. The
removable cartridges hold 1GB of data. The fast data rates and large storage
capacity make it a viable alternative for backup storage as well as everyday
use.

SUPER DISK

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 This is a new disk storage technology developed by the Imation Corporation
that supports very high—density diskettes. Super Disk diskettes are etched
with a servo pattern at the factory. This pattern is then read by the Super Disk
drive to precisely align the read/write head. The result is that a super disk
diskette can have 2,490 tracks, as opposed to the 135 tracks that conventional
3.5-inch 1.44MB diskettes use. This higher density translates into 120MB
capacity per diskette.

MAGNETIC TAPES

TYPES OF MAGNETIC TAPES

1) REEL TO REEL TAPE (The tradition tape)

2) Cassette tape
3) Cartridge tape

REEL TO REEL

- Is the oldest form of magnetic tape still in use today?

- THEE MAGNETIC TAPE DRIVE HOLD THE TAKE-UP REEL AND THE
FEED REEL.
- It also has a read and a write head

FEATURES OF THE TAPE

- It has a plastic base coated with a magnetic material on one side.

- Data is stored on tracks which run the lengthy of the tape
- The aluminium strip (the transparent potion marks the beginning and end of
recording.
- The data is recorded in blocks as the tape moves past the write head.
- As the block is written the tape slows and stops and accelerates for writing
again.
- The gape between blocks is called interlock gape which is created between
acceleration and deceleration.

MAGNETIC CATRIDGE TAPE AND CASSETTE

- Cassette and cartridges are an advantage over reel to reel.

- Information is recorded on both sides.
- They have one head to read and write.
- Magnetic tape, cassettes and cartridges give tape greater protection against
dust and dirt.
- The cartridge stores more information than the cassette.
- Tapes are packaged into cartridges and cassette which contain the tapes and its
two reels, they just pop into the slot which is dearly simpler than threading
tapes to reels like in a reel to reel tape.

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 ADVANTAGES OF TAPES

1) They are used a back up media for magnetic disk to protect against loss of
valuable files
 They can be kept in
2) It is (modifiable) can be erased.
3) Large amounts of storage of data

DISADVANTAGES
1) It is slow in accessing and organising of data since it employs sequential
access and organisation.
2) Magnetic signals decays slowly over time.
3) It is difficult to make updates on tapes hence a new tape has to be bought –
this employs grandfather – father – son technique

OPTICAL DISKS

Data on optical disks is written on disk surfaces by burning a permanent pattern by

means of a high precision laser beam reading is also by laser. They are three types of
optical disks but all of them use laser to read or write data

1) CD ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory)

- These work on the same principal as that used for domestic audio CD
- Some CDs have become so popular for a variety of uses which include data,
playing audio, video (multi-media)
- Access speeds tend to be slower than the magnetic disks
*NB CAN BE READ ONLY AND NO ALLTERATIONS
ADVANTAGES
1) Security
2) Storage capacity is very large

2) WORM (Write Once Read Many)

- They are less prone to data loss like magnetic disks. Once written by the CD
writer, they can not be erased.

3) ERASABLE OPTICAL DISKS/ MAGNETIC OPTICAL DISK

- The CD employs the use of an alloy with magnetic molecules on its surface.
- The laser heats spots on disk surface
The magnetic molecules are warmed and cool again to leave a semi-permanent
magnetic pattern. Similar to that on magnetic disks.
- The data can therefore be deleted and re-written
- It has combined magnetic and optical recording Reading and Writing is
through employing the laser.

CD-R Drive

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This is short for Compact Disk –Recordable Drive, is a type of disk drive that can
create CD—ROMS and audio CDs. This allows the users to master a CD—ROM
or audio CD for publishing. A feature of many CD—R drives. Called multisession
recording, enables you to keep adding data to a CD—ROM over time. This is
extremely important if you want to use the CD—R drive to create backup
CD—ROMS.

CD—RW disks

This is short for CD—Rewritable disk and this is a new type of CD disk that
enables you to write onto it in multiple sessions. One of the problems with CD—R
disks is that you can only write to them once. With CD—RW drives and disks,
you can treat the optical disk just like a floppy or hard disk, writing data onto it
multiple times.

MAGNETO—OPTICAL (MO) DRIVES

This is a type of disk drive that combines magnetic disk technologies with
CD—ROM technologies. Like magnetic disk, MO disks can be read and written
to. And like floppy disks, they are also removable. However, their storage
capacity can be more than 200megabytes, much greater than magnetic floppies. In
terms of data access speed, they are faster than floppies and CD-ROMs, but not as
fast as hard drives.
STORAGE HIERACHY PYRAMID
Storage capacity decreases

Access speed increases

Processor
Memory
Cost s decreases

DAS (Direct Access

Storage) e.g. CD-ROM

SAS(Sequential Access Storage) e.g.

Magnetic tape

- A fast access speed is obtained by moving up the Pyramid and a larger storage
capacity and lower cost per bit stored are a result of moving down the
pyramid.
- The processor unit storage component generally has the fastest access speed,
the smallest storage capacity and is the most expensive.
- Secondary storage includes all direct access devices and all off-line sequential
access storage media that holds data in a computer readable form.
- Secondary storage generally has the highest storage capacity and lowest cost
per bit stored.

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