FACULTY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTATION SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Title: STORAGE DEVICES; HDDs, SSDs, Optical Drives

A multi-devices presentation.

GROUP 27

COM1122 GROUP ASSIGNMENT NO.1

Surname and initial(s) Student number

1 Mulaudzi K 24061076

2 Makungo M 24033365

3 Mushiane V 24039802

4 Netshitangani V 23010754

4 Tshikhovhokhovho M. S 23024880
 INTRODUCTION

1. HHDs (Hybrid Hard Drives)

This is a type of storage device that combines the features of SSDs (Solid State
Drives) and traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).

2. SSDs (Solid State Drives)

This is a type of storage device (non-violate storage media) that store the persistent
data on solid-state flash memory.

3. OPTICAL DRIVES
This is a type of storage device used in computer and other digital system to read
and write data from optical discs through the use of laser technology. Example,
DVDs.

It is important to understand the roles of the above Drives in a storage device.

Understanding the roles of HHDs, SSDs and Optical Drives in storage device helps
one to make smart choice about where to store data. Each type of drive works best
for different situation.

SSDs are super-fast making them great for running programs quickly or booting up
your computer in no time.

HHDs are a mix of speed and storage space offering a good balance for everything
computer use without spending too much.
Optical Drives are good for storing files long term on disks like CDs and DVDs,
which can be important for maybe watching movies.

TYPES OF STORAGE DEVICES

1.HDDs
- Desktop HDDs
- External HDDs
- Surveillance HDDs

2. SSDs
-External SSDs
-M.2 SDDs
-Rugged SSDs

3.Optical Drives
-CD ROM Optical Drive
-DVD ROM Optical Drive
-Blue-ray Optical Drive

1.-Desktop HDDs
-External HDDs

-Surveillance HDDs
2.-External SSDs

-M.2 SDDs
-RUGGED SSDs

3.-CD ROM Optical Drive

-DVD ROM Optical Drive

-BLUE RAY Optical Drive

FUNCTIONALITY
External HDDs and SSDs
You can get both HDD and SSD devices as external drives. These generally offer the
largest storage capacity among external options, with external HDDs offering up to 20
TB of storage and (reasonably priced) external SSDs offering up to 8 TB of storage.

External HDDs and SSDs work in the exact same way that their internal counterparts do.
Most external drives can connect to any computer; they are not tied to one device, so they
are a decent solution for transferring files across devices.

Flash memory devices.

We mentioned flash memory earlier when discussing SSDs. A flash memory device
contains trillions of interconnected flash memory cells that store data. These cells hold
millions of transistors that when switched on or off represent 1s and 0s in binary code,
allowing a computer to read and write information.

One of the most recognizable

Secondary Storage: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) & Solid-State Drives (SSD)
In addition to RAM, every computer also has another storage drive that is used for storing
information on a long-term basis. This is secondary storage. Any file you create or
download saves to the computer’s secondary storage. There are two types of storage
device used as secondary storage in computers: HDD and SSD. While HDDs are the
more traditional of the two, SSDs are fast overtaking HDD as the preferred tech for
secondary storage.

Secondary storage devices are often removable, so you can replace or upgrade your
computer’s storage, or move your storage drive to a different computer. There are notable
exceptions, like MacBooks, which do not offer removable storage.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)

The hard disk drive (HDD) is the original hard drive. These are magnetic storage devices
that have been around since the 1950s, though they have evolved over time.

A hard disk drive is comprised of a stack of spinning metal disks known as platters. Each
spinning disk has trillions of tiny fragments that can be magnetized in order to represent
bits (1s and 0s in binary code). An actuator arm with a read/write head scans the spinning
platters and magnetizes fragments to write digital information onto the HDD or detects
magnetic charges to read information from it.

HDDs are used for TV recorders, servers, and laptop and PC storage.
Solid-State Drives (SSD)
Solid-state drives emerged far more recently, in the ‘nineties. SSDs don’t rely on magnets
and disks, instead they use a type of flash memory called NAND. In an SSD,
semiconductors store information by changing the electrical current of circuits contained.

Optical Storage Devices

CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs are used for a lot more than playing music and videos—
they also function as storage devices. Collectively they are known as optical storage
devices or optical media.

Binary code is stored on these disks in the form of minuscule bumps along a track that
spirals outwards from the center of the disk. When the disk is in operation it spins at a
constant speed, while a laser contained within the disk drive scans the bumps on the disk.
The way the laser reflects or bounces off a bump determines whether it represents a 0 or
1 in binary.

A DVD has a tighter spiral track than a CD, allowing it to store more data despite being
the same size, and a finer red laser is used in DVD drives than CD drives. DVDs also
allow dual layering to increase their capacity further. Blu-Ray took things to another
level, storing data on multiple layers with even smaller bumps that require an even finer
blue laser to read them.

CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and BD-ROM refer to read-only optical storage disks. The data
written on them is permanent and cannot be removed or overwritten. This is why they
cannot be used as a personal storage. Instead, they are typically used for software
installation programs.
CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-R format disks are recordable, but cannot be overwritten.
Whatever data you save on a blank recordable disk will then be permanently stored on
that disk. So, they can store data, but they are not as flexible as other storage devices.
CD-RW, DVD-RW, and BD-RE are re-writable. This allows you can write new data on
them and erase unwanted data from them as much as you want. They have been
overtaken by newer technology like flash memory, but CD-RWs were once the top
choice for external storage. Most desktop computers and many laptops have a CD or
DVD drive.
CD can store up to 700 MB of data, DVD-DL can store up to 8.5 GB, and Blu-Ray can
store between 25 and 128 GB of data.

Floppy Disks
While they may be obsolete at this point, we cannot discuss storage devices without at
least mentioning the humble floppy disk, aka diskette. Floppy disks were the first widely
available portable, removable storage devices. This is why most "Save" icons look the
way they do; they are modeled after the floppy disk. They work in the same way as hard
disk drives, although at a much smaller scale.

The storage capacity of floppy disks never exceeded 200 MB before CD-RW and flash
drives became the favored storage media. The iMac was the first personal computer
released without a floppy disk drive in 1998. From here, the over 30- years

To run a Blu-ray disc, you need a separate Blu-ray reader. This Blu-ray technology is
used to read a disc from a blue-violet laser due to which the information is stored in
greater density with a longer wavelength.
Optical Storage Devices

separate memory card reader.

Multimedia Card: It is also known as MMC. It is an integrated circuit that is used in-car
radios, digital cameras, etc. It is an external device to store data/information.
Flash Memory Devices

Super Disk: It is also called LS-240 and LS-120. Imation Corporation introduce it, and it
is popular with OEM computers. It can store data up to 240 MB.
Magnetic Storage Devices DS - Remote Desktop Connection (Windows 7)
Use the Remote Desktop Connection application in Windows 7 to connect to your work
computer from off campus. Before using, you will need to have Cisco AnyConnect
Secure Mobility Client installed on your computer, and Dedicated Desktop Support will
need to configure your work computer to allow Remote Desktop Connections.

ANATOMICAL DIFFERENCES AND CONNECTIVITY

We will at least focus on anatomical difference between Desktop HDDs, M.2 SDDs and
Blue-ray Optical Drive

Certainly! Here is a simplified comparison of the anatomical differences between

Desktop HDDs, M.2 SSDs, and Blu-ray optical drives:

Desktop HDDs (Hard Disk Drives)

- Size: Typically, 3,5 inches wide.
- Components: Contains spinning disks (platters), a read/write head on an arm, and a
motor to spin the disks.
- Build: Bulkier and contains moving parts.

M.2 SSDs (Solid State Drives)

- Size: Small and thin, resembling a stick of gum (about 22mm wide and can vary in
length).
- Components: Made up of memory chips and a controller, all embedded on a circuit
board.
- Build: Compact with no moving parts.

Blu-ray Optical Drives

- Size: Usually fit into a 5.25-inch drive bay in a desktop.
- Components: Has lasers and lenses for reading/writing, along with a motor to spin the
disc.
- Build: Larger and designed to accommodate circular discs, contains moving parts.

This is a video briefly discussing the anatomical difference between the HHDs, SSDs and
Optical Drive mentioned above:
https://youtu.be/YQEjGKYXjw8?si=jEJLsNrT-bw-YPZ3
https://youtu.be/4nORstVKWYI?si=ntLjQ9w24AtjAWig

Supporting Visual differences:

Below is a simple demonstration video on how HDDs works:
https://youtu.be/n6uPALWAyxc?si=1QIhhNnvqpzRacTu

EXAMPLES AND REAL-WORLD COMMERCIAL

APPLICATIONS
HHDs, SSDs and Optical Devices have major impact on today’s commercial applications
such as health industries, financial sectors, manufacturing industries, education sectors
and more.
Below are more of description on how these components of storage devices are
impactful:
1. Healthcare Industry:
- HDDs: Used for storing massive quantities of affected person information inclusive of
scientific facts, imaging scans (like MRIs and CT scans), and administrative information.
- SSDs: Utilized in scientific gadgets for immediate get admission to essential affected
person information throughout surgical procedures or emergency situations.
- Optical Drives: Used for archiving scientific facts and sharing information via CDs or
DVDs with sufferers or different healthcare providers.

2. Financial Sector:
- HDDs: Employed for storing massive databases of monetary transactions, purchaser
accounts, and historic marketplace information.
- SSDs: Utilized in high-frequency buying and selling structures for ultra-rapid
information get admission to, supporting in making split-2d buying and selling decisions.
- Optical Drives: Used for steady backup and archival of monetary facts, assembly
regulatory compliance requirements.

3. Manufacturing Industry:
- HDDs: Employed for storing product layout files, production information, stock facts,
and deliver chain information.
- SSDs: Utilized in computerized production structures for brief get admission to real-
time manufacturing information, lowering latency and downtime.
- Optical Drives: Used for dispensing software, firmware updates, and technical
documentation to manufacturing equipment and staff.

4. Entertainment and Media:

- HDDs: Used for storing extensive libraries of virtual content, inclusive of movies,
song, video games, and virtual artwork assets.
- SSDs: Utilized in video enhancing workstations for immediate video rendering,
playback, and real-time enhancing.
- Optical Drives: Used for dispensing movies, song albums, and software program
installations to consumers, even though that is lowering with the upward push of virtual
distribution platforms.

5. Education Sector:
 - HDDs: Employed for storing instructional materials, studies databases, pupil records,
and administrative documents.
- SSDs: Utilized in laptops and drugs supplied to college students for short get right of
entry to instructional software program and route materials.
- Optical Drives: Used much less often nowadays, however nevertheless hired for
dispensing instructional software program and multimedia sources in regions with
confined net get right of entry.

Below is a case study on how HDDs are impactful on educational sectors, posted by
university of IT:

Case Study 2201AS: A University's IT Infrastructure Upgrade

Scenario:

A large university planned to upgrade its IT infrastructure to support an increasing number of

students and the launch of new distance learning problem. The existing infrastructure was not
capable of managing the increased load of data storage needs, including student records, course
materials, and video content for online learning.

The university expanded its data centers, incorporating a large array of HDDs due to their cost-
effectiveness and high storage capacity. This expansion allowed the university to store significantly
more data without incurring the higher costs of SSDs.

The use of HDDs provided a cost-effective storage solution, saving the university approximately
40% in storage costs compared to if SSDs had been used. Students and faculty gained better access
to educational materials and resources, contributing to an improved learning environment. The
solution provided scalability, allowing the university to easily add more HDD storage as needs
grew.

The use of HDDs in educational sectors like this university shows that while newer technologies
such as SSDs offer faster access speeds, HDDs remain relevant due to their cost-effectiveness and
high capacity. They enable educational institutions to manage extensive data requirements
economically, ensuring that educational resources are both accessible and dependable.

CONCLUSION

In today's world and within modern computer systems, HDDs, SSDs, and optical drives
each have unique roles and importance, catering to different storage needs and
preferences.
HDDs (Hard Disk Drives)
- Cost-Effective Storage: HDDs offer a higher storage capacity at a lower cost per
gigabyte than SSDs, making them ideal for storing large volumes of data economically.
- Data Archiving: Their durability and longevity make HDDs suitable for long-term data
archiving and backup solutions where frequent access is not required.
- Flexibility: They fit well in scenarios where budget constraints are tighter, but storage
needs are extensive, such as in educational institutions and small to medium-sized
enterprises.

SSDs (Solid State Drives)

- Speed: SSDs provide much faster data access, read, and write speeds compared to
HDDs. This speed enhances the performance of operating systems, applications, and file
transfers.
- Reliability: With no moving parts, SSDs are less susceptible to physical damage and are
quieter and more energy-efficient.
- Form Factor Diversity: Available in many sizes and interfaces (like M.2 and SATA),
SSDs are versatile for both mobile devices and desktops, supporting modern, compact,
and thin designs.

Optical Drives (Blu-ray, DVD)

- Media Consumption and Distribution: Despite a decline in usage due to streaming
services, optical drives are still important for media consumption, particularly in regions
with limited internet access or for archival of media.
- Data Backup and Portability: Optical media is stable and can securely store data for
extended periods, making it ideal for offline backups and sharing large files that are
impractical to download over a network.
- Legacy Support: Optical drives remain relevant in specific fields and among users who
require access to content on CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs, such as software installation,
movie playback, and accessing historical data archives.

Therefore:
Each storage technology HDDs, SSDs, and optical drives has tailored benefits that make
them relevant in specific contexts within modern computer systems. HDDs are valued for
their affordability and capacity, SSDs for their speed and reliability, and optical drives for
their utility in media playback and data preservation. The choice between these storage
options depends on individual needs related to performance, cost, and the specific use
case, reflecting their ongoing importance in diverse computing environments.
 REFERENCES
1.https://techcentral.co.za/dvd-sized-optical-disc-125-000gb-of-data/240410/

2. "Hard disk drive" on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive

3.Here are a few references for in addition statistics on varieties of HDDs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive

4."Hard disk drive" on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive

5."Types of Hard Drives: HDD vs SSD vs SSHD vs HHD" on Back blaze Blog:
https://www.backblaze.com/blog/types-of-hard-drives/
6."Types of Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)" on Livewire: https://www.lifewire.com/hard-
disk-drives-833444