Chapter 8 Flashcards
storage medium
physical material on which a computer keeps data, info, programs, and apps (secondary storage)
cloud storage
keeps info on servers on the internet, and the actual media where the files are stored are transparent to the user
storage device
the hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media
reading
the process of transferring items from a storage medium into memory
writing
the process of transferring items from memory to a storage medium
capacity
the number of bytes a storage medium can hold
kilobyte
one thousand
megabyte
one million
gigabyte
one billion
terabyte
one trillion
storage medium
items remain intact even when you turn off a computer or mobile device- nonvolatile
memory
holds data and instructions temporarily-volatile
transfer rate
the speed with which data, instructions, and info transfer to and from a device
hard drive
the collection term for both hard disks and SSDs- contains circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and info
what determines storage capacity of a hard drive
number of platters it contains, whether it uses longitudinal or perpendicular recording, and the density
formatting of a hard drive
dividing the disk into tracks and sectors so the operating system can store and locate data and info on the disk
track
a narrow recording band that forms a full circle on the surface of the disk
sector
wedged shaped sections, which break the tracks into small arcs
disk defragmenter
a tool that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster
form factor
size
read/write heads
the mechanism that reads and writes items in the drive as it barely touches the disk’s recording surface (each platter has 2)
head crash
when a read/write head touches the surface of a platter
solid state drive (SSD)
flash memory storage device that contains its own processor to manage its storage
SSD advantages
faster access times, faster transfer rates, quieter operation, more durable, lighter weight, less power consumption, less heat generation, longer life, and defragmentation isn’t required
major difference b/w USB and SSDs
the form factor (size) and capacity of the drives- USB designed to be external and SSD is designed to be in the computer
USB vs. SSD/hard disk
SSD doesn’t have moving parts, while USB has drive motors to spin up the magnetic platters and drive heads
SSDs are mechanically better
SSDs are 3x more expensive
SSDs have way less capacity
external hard disk
separate freestanding storage device that connects with a cable to a USB port or other port on a computer or mobile device
reasons to use external hard drive
transport large number of files, most include back-up software, easily store large audio/video, secure your data, and add storage space to mobile computer or desktop
memory card
a removable flash memory storage device that you insert and remove from a slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer
USB flash drive
plugs into a USB port on a computer or mobile device
cloud storage
an internet service that provides storage to a computer or mobile device users
personal cloud
you can purchase a networked hard drive that makes your data available on a cloud that exists within your home or office
enterprise storage
enterprise hardware allows large organizations to manage and store data and info using devices intended for heavy use, max efficiency, and max availability
network attached storage (NAS)
a server that is placed on a network with the sole purpose of providing storage to users, computers, and devices attached to the network
storage area network (SAN)
a high-speed network with the sole purpose of providing storage to other attached servers (includes only storage devices)
tape
a magnetically coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data and info
magnetic strip card
has a magnetic stripe that contains info
smart card
stores data on an integrated circuit embedded in the card
RFID tag
consists of an antenna and a memory chip that contains the info to be transmitted via radio waves to a computer or computing device
