1.3 Secondary Storage

Vicky has been on holiday and has taken lots of photos. The memory in her camera is now full and she needs to transfer her photos to an external secondary storage device.

Define what is meant by 'secondary storage'.

Answers: 2

• Long term non-volatile storage of data/files

• Short term volatile storage of data/files

• External storage of data

• Internal storage of data

Vicky has been on holiday and has taken lots of photos. The memory in her camera is now full and she needs to transfer her photos to an external secondary storage device.

Identify the three common storage technologies Vicky can choose from.

Answers: 3

• Optical

• Magnetic

• Solid State

• Blu-Ray

• Hard Drive

Vicky has been on holiday and has taken lots of photos. The memory in her camera is now full and she needs to transfer her photos to an external secondary storage device.

State four characteristics of secondary storage devices that Vicky should consider when choosing a device.

• Capacity, Speed, Portability, Durability, Reliability, Cost

• Capacity, Colour, Portability, Durability, Reliability, Cost

• Capacity, Speed, Portability, Durability, Recyclability, Cost

Most computer systems use at least one storage device.

Explain one reason why a secondary storage device is needed in most computer systems.

Answers: 2

• To store the files / e.g. operating system even when the system is switched off.

• Secondary storage must be volatile.

• Secondary storage must be non-volatile.

Some secondary storage devices are magnetic and others are solid state.Describe the characteristics of magnetic and solid state secondary storage.

The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer to this question.

Focus: Cost

Answers: 2

• Solid State drives tend to be large capacity, relatively cheap

• Magnetic drives tend to be large capacity, relatively cheap

• Solid State drives are relatively expensive so tend to be of smaller capacity

• Magnetic drives are relatively expensive so tend to be of smaller capacity

Some secondary storage devices are magnetic and others are solid state.Describe the characteristics of magnetic and solid state secondary storage.

The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer to this question.

Focus: Portability

Answers: 2

• Solid State drives are sensitive to movement of system due to moving parts

• Magnetic drives are sensitive to movement of system due to moving parts

• Solid State drives have no moving parts so not sensitive to movement

• Magnetic drives have no moving parts so not sensitive to movement

Apu has a handheld e-book reader that allows him to store and read electronic books.

Types of secondary storage devices are magnetic, optical or solid state.

State which type of storage is most suitable for storing the electronic books inside the e-book reader.

• Optical

• Magnetic

• Solid State

Which generally has the highest capacity?

• Magnetic

• Solid State

• Optical

Which is generally the fastest to access the data?

• Magnetic

• Solid State

• Optical

Which is generally the most portable?

• Magnetic

• Solid State

• Optical