Module 7_Shelly C

Digital Storage: Preserving Your Content

​Module 7

Open Ended

Brainstorming

The purpose of this module is to discuss the advantages of using
different storage devices.

Discuss what storage devices or techniques you have used before, either in school or your personal life.

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

3

Module Objectives

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

•Differentiate between storage and memory

•Identify storage hardware types

•Discuss cloud computing concepts

•Evaluate cloud storage options

•Explain how to secure your cloud data

•Identify enterprise and other storage options

•Explain how memory relates to storage

•Identify risks for the Internet of Things

4

Storage and Memory Uses (1 of 5)

• Computers and devices use both storage and memory to access and save data and information.

• Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and
  the results of processing the data into information.

Figure 7-1 Storage is similar to
a file cabinet for digital content.

5

Storage and Memory Uses (2 of 5)

•

Storage refers to long-term, permanent access to data and information.

•

A storage medium is nonvolatile. Most memory (i.e., RAM), by contrast, holds data
and instructions temporarily, thus it is volatile.

•

A storage medium, also called secondary storage, is the location where a computer
keeps data, information, programs, and applications.

•

Examples of storage media include digital storage (cloud), and storage hardware,
such as hard disks, solid-state drives (internal or external), memory cards, USB
flash drives, optical discs, and tags.

•

Cloud storage keeps information on servers on the Internet.

•

In addition to programs and apps, users store a variety of data and information on
storage media on their computers and mobile devices or on cloud storage.

6

Storage and Memory Uses (3 of 5)

•A storage device is the hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media.

•Writing is the process of transferring data, instructions, and information from memory to a storage medium.

•Reading is the process of transferring these items from a storage medium into memory.

Figure 7-2 Various storage

technologies.

8

Storage and Memory Uses (5 of 5)

•The speed of storage devices and memory
is defined by access time.

•Access time measures
✔
The amount of time it takes for a
storage device to locate an item on a
storage medium.

✔
The time required to deliver an item
from memory to the processor.

•Transfer rate is the speed with which
data, instructions, and information
transfer to and from a device.

•Transfer rates for storage are stated in
KBps, MBps, and GBps.

Figure 7-3 Relative speed and uses for

storage media.

9

Storage Hardware (1 of 11)

Hard Drives

• The most common storage medium is the internal hard drive.

• Hard drives can store data either magnetically or using solid-state
  storage.

• The files stored on the internal hard drive cannot be accessed on
  other devices.

• Magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs) have greater storage capacity and are less expensive than their solid-state equivalents.

• The term, “hard drive”, refers collectively to hard disks and SSDs.

10

Storage Hardware (2 of 11)

•A hard disk, or hard disk drive (HDD), is a
storage device that contains one or more
inflexible, circular platters that use
magnetic particles to store data,
instructions, and information.

•Desktops and laptops contain at least one
hard disk.

•The storage capacity of hard disks is
determined by the number of platters that
the hard disk contains, the composition of
the magnetic coating on the platters,
whether it uses longitudinal or
perpendicular recording, and its density

Figure 7-4 Typical hard disk.

11

Storage Hardware (3 of 11)

• A platter is made of aluminum, glass, or ceramic and has a thin coating of alloy material that allows items to be recorded magnetically on its surface.

• Longitudinal recording aligns the magnetic particles horizontally around the surface of the disk.

• With perpendicular recording, by contrast, hard disks align the magnetic particles vertically or perpendicular to the disk’s surface.

• Density is the number of bits in an area on a storage medium. A higher density means more storage capacity.

12

Storage Hardware (4 of 11)

• Formatting is the process of dividing the disk into tracks and sectors.

• A track is one of the series of concentric circles on one of the surfaces of a magnetic hard disk platter.

• Tracks are narrow recording bands that form a full circle on the surface of the disk.

• The disk’s storage locations consist of wedge-shaped sections, which break the tracks into small arcs called sectors.

• A sector is an individual block of data or a segment of a track.

• Several sectors form a cluster.

Figure 7-5 Tracks and sectors on a hard disk

13

Storage Hardware (5 of 11)

•

A typical hard disk has multiple
platters. Each platter has two
read/write heads, one for each
side.

•

A read/write head is the
mechanism that reads items and
writes items to the drive.

•

A hard disk head actuator connects
to arms that move the read/write
heads to the correct location on
the platter.

Figure 7-6 How a hard disk works.

14

Storage Hardware (6 of 11)

•

While the computer is running, the platters in the hard disk rotate at
a high rate of speed.

•

This spinning allows nearly instant access to all tracks and sectors on
the platters.

•

The platters continue spinning or slow down after a specified time to
save power.

•

The spinning motion creates a cushion of air between the platter and
its read/write head.

•

This cushion ensures that the read/write head floats above the
platter instead of making direct contact with the platter surface.

15

Storage Hardware (7 of 11)

•

An external hard drive is a separate,
free-standing storage device that
connects with a cable to a USB port
or other port on any device.

•

Sizes and storage capacities of
external hard drives vary.

•

With an internal hard drive, an
entire external hard drive is
enclosed in an airtight, sealed case.

Figure 7-7 An external hard
disk attached to a laptop.

16

Storage Hardware (8 of 11)

•

An SSD (solid-state drive) is a flash
memory storage device.

•

Flash memory is a type of
nonvolatile memory that can be
erased electronically and rewritten.

•

Flash memory chips are a type of
solid-state media, which means
they consist entirely electronic
components and contain no
moving parts.

Figure 7-8 An SSD.

17

Storage Hardware (9 of 11)

Portable Flash Memory Storage

•

A memory card is a removable flash
memory storage device.

•

Memory cards enable mobile users
to easily transport digital photos,
music, videos, or other files to and
from mobile devices and computers
or other devices.

•

A slot on a computer or device
accepts multiple types of cards.

Figure 7-9 Memory cards

often are used with cameras.

18

Storage Hardware (10 of 11)

•

A USB flash drive (universal serial
bus) is a removable storage device
for folders and files that plug in a
USB port on a computer, making it
easy to transport folders and files
to other computers.

•

The Storage capacities of USB
flash drives and memory cards
vary.

Figure 7-10 USB flash drive.

19

Storage Hardware (11 of 11)

•

Optical media include CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs (BDs), but their use as storage
media is declining.

•

An optical disc is a type of storage medium that consists of a flat, round, portable
disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written and read by a laser.

Table 7-2 Characteristics of optical disc formats.

Disc Type

Format(s)

Typically Use(s)

CD

• CD-ROM (read-only)
• CD-R (recordable)
• CD-RW (rewritable)

audio, photo

DVD

• DVD-ROM (read-only)
• DVD-R, DVD+R (recordable)
• DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and
• DVD+RAM (rewritable)

video

Blu-ray

• Higher capacity disc than DVD

video

21

Cloud Storage (1 of 4)

•Home and business users choose cloud
computing for accessibility, cost saving,
space saving, and scalability.

•

Cloud computing consists of a front end
and a back end, connected to each other
through a network.

•

The front end includes the hardware and
software with which a user interacts to
access the cloud.

•

The back end consists of the servers and
storage devices that manage and store
the resources accessed by users.

Figure 7-11 Cloud storage.

Open Ended

HDD and SDD are storage devices. Which is the best choice for a laptop or computer that you use for school? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

22

Cloud Storage (2 of 4)

•

Cloud computing allows companies to outsource, or contract to third-
party providers, elements of their information technology
infrastructure.

•

Cloud storage providers enable you to synchronize files, write documents, backup files on your computer or mobile device, share project work, stream music, post photos, and play games online.

23

Cloud Storage (3 of 4)

•

In addition to SaaS (software as a service), consumers and organizations rely on
cloud computing services to manage:
✔ Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
✔ Storage as service (STaaS)
✔ Desktop as a service
✔ Data as a service (DaaS)
✔ Platform as a service (PaaS)

•

Some additional cloud services include:
✔ Synchronize files
✔ Write documents
✔ Backup files
✔ Stream media

24

Cloud Storage (4 of 4)

Figure 7-12 Google Drive.

Multiple Choice

Cloud computing connects ______ and ______ through a network.

• hardware; software

• a server; storage

• online; offline

• a front-end; a back-end

27

Cloud Storage Options (1 of 3)

•

With Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, the files that you save are
created by or can be edited or shared using the cloud-based apps
that are a part of the service.

•

Other cloud storage options, such as Box, primarily are storage
locations and do not provide corresponding apps.

•

The files are protected by security measures, including passwords and
identification requirements, or encryption, and are backed up to other
servers so that outages in which access is limited or denied are rare.

•

One advantage of relying on cloud-based storage is the flexibility of
not having to purchase and maintain servers.

28

Cloud Storage Options (2 of 3)

•

Photos, songs, and videos take longer to upload than smaller text or
web page files, so it is important to select a provider whose servers
have sufficient bandwidth to support large file transfers.

•

Criteria to consider for providers include the amount of free storage
offered, the cost to purchase more storage if needed, and the
maximum file size that each service allows you to upload.

•

It is also important to read about the cloud storage provider’s privacy
policy and terms of agreement, to which you must consent before
using the provider’s services.

29

Cloud Storage Options (3 of 3)

Consider the following guidelines when selecting a cloud storage provider:
•Verify that the company is reputable and has been in business for an extended
period of time.

•Choose a provider that encrypts your files.

•Determine whether the provider’s service is compatible with your computer(s) and
mobile device(s).

•Compare the price of various storage plans and choose a provider that offers
competitive pricing.

•Verify that the cloud storage provider will support the types of files you want to
back up. If desired, choose a cloud storage provider that allows you to share
selected files with others.

•Consider whether the provider offers a mobile app that you can use to access your
files using a mobile device.

30

Secure IT: Secure Your Data on the

Cloud (1 of 2)

•

Cryptocurrency is digital currency that
can be used to transfer money or
payments between users or corporations.

•

Cryptocurrency is not backed or secured
by a government.

•

Payment apps, such as Venmo, enable
you to transfer money between your
credit card or bank account and another
user.

•

A digital wallet, such as ApplePay, is an
app that is connected to a specific
payment card or financial account.

Figure 7-13 Using a digital

wallet.

31

Secure IT: Secure Your Data on the

Cloud (2 of 2)

Some steps to protect your cloud-based data include:

•Choose your cloud provider(s) carefully, whether you are using a
web-based app that also offers storage, such as Google Drive, or
using an online backup system.

•Read the user agreement for your cloud provider.

•Set the most advanced privacy settings that your service allows.

•Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect
against unauthorized access from hackers.

•Do not store sensitive data or other information, without ensuring
that they will be encrypted.

35

Enterprise and Other Storage Options

(4 of 9)

•

Network attached storage (NAS) is a server that is placed on a
network with the sole purpose of providing storage to users,
computers, and devices attached to the network.

•

A network attached storage server, often called a storage appliance,
has its own IP address, usually does not have a keyboard or display,
and contains at least one hard drive, often configured in a RAID.

•

Administrators can add storage to an existing network quickly by
connecting a network-attached storage server to the network.

41

How Memory Relates to Storage (1 of 7)

•

Memory usually consists of one or more chips on the motherboard or
some other circuit board on the computer.

•

Memory stores three basic categories of items:

✔

The operating system (a program that manages the complete
operation of your computer) and other programs that control or
maintain the computer and its devices.

✔

Applications that carry out a specific task, such as word
processing.

✔

The data being processed by the applications and the resulting
information.

42

How Memory Relates to Storage (2 of 7)

•A byte (character) is the basic storage unit in memory.

•When an application’s instructions and data are transferred to memory from storage devices, the instructions and data exist as bytes.

•Each byte resides temporarily in a location in memory that has an address.

•An address is a unique number that identifies the location of a byte in memory.

•To access data or instructions in memory, the computer references the addresses that contain bytes of data.

Figure 7-18 Similar to seats in a stadium,

one location memory (seat) holds a
single byte (person) or can be empty.

43

How Memory Relates to Storage (3 of 7)

•Memory capacity affects the device’s operation speed.

•RAM is the most common type of volatile memory.

•Examples of nonvolatile memory include ROM, flash memory, and CMOS.

•RAM, also called main memory, consists of memory chips that can be read from
and written to by the processor and other devices.

•RAM can accommodate multiple programs and applications simultaneously.

•Saving is the process of copying data, instructions, and information from RAM to a
storage device or to the cloud.

•Today’s computers improve their processing times with cache (pronounced cash),
which is a temporary storage area.

•Memory cache helps speed up the processes of the computer because it stores
frequently used instructions and data.

44

How Memory Relates to Storage (4 of 7)

Figure 7-19 How program instructions transfer in and out of RAM.

45

How Memory Relates to Storage (5 of 7)

•ROM (read-only memory) refers to memory chips storing permanent
data and instructions.

•The data on most ROM chips cannot be modified so it is named as
read only.

•Manufacturers of ROM chips often record data, instructions, or
information on firmware chips when the chips are manufactured.

•These chips contain permanently written data, instructions, or
information, such as a computer or mobile device’s start-up
instructions.

46

How Memory Relates to Storage (6 of 7)

•Flash memory is a type of non-volatile memory that can be erased
electronically and rewritten.

•Most computers use flash memory to hold their start-up instructions.

•Flash memory chips also store data and programs on many mobile devices and peripheral devices, such as smartphones, portable media players, printers, digital cameras, automotive devices, and digital voice recorders.

•Some portable media players store music on flash memory chips;
others store music on tiny hard drives or memory cards.

•

Memory cards contain flash memory on a removable device.

47

How Memory Relates to Storage (7 of 7)

•

Some RAM chips, flash memory chips, and other memory chips use
CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technology as it
provides high speeds and consumes little power.

•

CMOS technology uses battery power to retain information even when
the power to the computer is off.

•

Battery-backed CMOS memory chips.

•

The flash memory chips that store a computer’s startup information
often use CMOS technology.

49

Ethics and Issues: Internet of Things and

Privacy (2 of 3)

•

Smart trash cans in public places have sensors that monitor the
amount of trash deposited and then send a message that notifies
owners when the containers need to be emptied.

•

Wearable technology, such as smart watches and wristbands, can
track your pulse and heart rate, as well as accept calls and display
notifications from a smartphone.

•

Retailers can use beacons, which are devices that send low-energy
Bluetooth signals to nearby smartphones, to alert customers who use
a payment app, such as PayPal, to personalized offers in their stores.

Read on Your Own....

​Enterprise cloud storage

Ethics and Issue - IoT