primary and secondary storage

Question 1

describe the difference between primary and secondary storage

Answer 1

primary :

• quick to access as attached to motherboard
• typically smaller in storage size
• aka main memory

secondary:
- slower to access as not directly embedded in motherboard
- larger in storage size
- aka backing storage

Question 2

Difference between volatile and non-volatile

Answer 2

volatile :
temporary
data is lost when power is turned off
e.g. RAM

Non volatile:
saves data even when not being powered
data can be stored long term and accessed when computer is switched on
e.g ROM

Question 3

Magnetic storage : how does it work, examples , characteristics

Answer 3

As the disk is spinning, a read/write head moves across its surface.

Storage device such as hard disk drivers

Magnetic storage characteristics:
Large capacity
Cheaper in cost per gigabyte
Not Durable and not very portable when powered on because of moving parts
Slow access speed but faster than optical

Question 4

Data storage units in order

Answer 4

Bit
Nibble
Byte 
Kilobyte
Megabyte 
Gigabyte 
Petabyte
Terabyte

Question 5

Types of primary storage

Answer 5

RAM 
ROM
CACHE MEMORY
FLASH MEMORY
VIRTUAL MEMORY

Question 6

Optical storage : how does it work, examples , characteristics

Answer 6

Uses a laser to project beams of light onto a spinning disc allowing it to read data from a CD, DVD or blu-ray

Characteristics: 
Low capacity
Not durable as discs are very fragile and can break or scratch easily 
Discs are thin and very portable
Cheap to buy in bulk

Have the slowest access speed

Question 7

Solid state storage storage : how does it work, examples , characteristics

Answer 7

Solid state devices use non-volatile random access memory (RAM) to store data indefinitely. They tend to have much faster access times than other types of device and, because they have no moving parts, are more durable.

Examples:
Memory cards like SD Cards
USB Sticks

Characteristics :
High capacity but more expensive cost per gigabyte than magnetic
Usually durable but cheap USB sticks can snap or break
Small size means very portable
Fastest access speed as contains no moving parts

Question 8

Cloud storage : how does it work, examples , characteristics

Answer 8

Storing data at a remote location online is known as cloud storage. When files and data are sent to the cloud, they are actually being sent to a server that is connected to the internet.

Examples: google drive, Dropbox

Huge capacity - you can upgrade subscription if you need more storage
Difficult to rank in terms of portability , durability , access speed as it depends on your internet connection
A fast connection would mean very portable but poor connection would make access difficult
Typically free for a certain amount of storage