1. Lesson 3: Working with Storage Systems
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Lesson 3: Working with Storage Systems
storage systems
hard disk drives
optical drives
portable or removable storage devices
network drives
remote storage
Pg 11
This is the outline for the topics covered in this lesson.
If possible, have examples of the different types of storage devices, including memory cards and other smaller types of devices not generally found on a standard computer system, e.g., DVD-RW drive, tape backup, etc.
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2. What Are Storage Systems?
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
What Are Storage Systems?
RAM is temporary so you must save work to storage device
Storage device you use depends on amount of storage you need and speed of data retrieval or data transfer rate
Hard disk drives used most often to store and retrieve software programs and data
Can use other media such as flash drive or optical disc for backup or portability purposes
Pg 11
Objectives
Storage systems came about as a result of the need to be able to store information on computers that previously required one 5.25” floppy disk to start the program and another for saving files. As the features of software programs advanced, so did the size of these programs and hence the need for a more practical way to store the programs (rather than constantly switching between multiple disks in the floppy drives), and the possibility of storing data files. How much history you want to provide will depend on the interests of your students. The older they are, the more questions they may have in regards to the floppy disk versus how a memory key/flash drive or CD/DVD works. Younger individuals may only refer to a flash drive or DVD media.
There are many choices today and this lesson will look at these options. For most users, they will likely alternate between the hard drive and the CD drive. Other types of storage devices must be purchased separately and are only necessary for backup, security, or special requirements (e.g., video, music, etc.).
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3. Working with Disk Drives
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Working with Disk Drives
Disk drive performs three functions:
Rotates disk at constant speed to access sectors on entire disk surface
Moves read/write head across tracks on entire disk surface
Reads data from disk and writes data to disk using read/write head
Data from RAM written on disk arranged in tracks divided in sectors
Process of preparing disk for use is called formatting
Places special information on each track that marks location of each sector
Pg 11
Objective
Discuss how disk drives work. The concept will work the same for a flash drive or DVD even though it may not be as obvious to visualize with a flash drive. You may want to allude to or, if available, show how some flash drives provide a screen asking how the flash drive will be used, and if indicated for storage only, will prepare (format) that flash drive for that purpose.
You might also want to provide a screen of how the sectors appear on a typical disk drive, and then discuss how data is saved, given that the disk is continuously spinning until the save command is recognized.
Tracks
Sectors
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4. Working with Hard Disk Drives
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Working with Hard Disk Drives
Primary storage area for both data and programs
Software programs must be installed on hard drive
Hard drive stores and retrieves information at high speeds
Data transfer rate (throughput) of hard drive is function of hard drive rotation speed and number of heads per surface
The higher the rotation speed and/or number of heads, the less time it takes to find data
Range in capacity from 100 MB to 100+ GB
Also used in network servers where drives very large to accommodate requirements of whole organization and data storage requirements
Data transfer rate quite fast although can be restricted by type of network interface cards and number of users or tasks to be processed
Pg 12
Objective
Every computer/system today comes with a hard drive unless otherwise specified; the variation lies in the size and accompanying cost of the hard drive.
Discuss the pros and cons of having a hard drive versus one of the other types of storage devices. Some students don’t understand why you would want to save every file you create; discuss this in terms of having an electronic copy in case it is ever needed in future, and after a period of time, can be deleted as required.
NOTE: You may need to update the size of hard drives here, based on new and available technology at the time of your course.
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5. Working with Optical Drives
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Working with Optical Drives
Designed to read flat, circular disc, commonly referred to as Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Versatile/Video Disc (DVD)
Read by laser device or optical drive that spins disc at speeds from rpm or higher
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or DVD-ROM drive
Similar to player in audio/video entertainment system
Information written or burned onto surface and retrieved with laser beam
Can only read data
New computers come with at least one optical drive
Usually DVD optical drive or CD/DVD optical writer drive.
Pg 12
Objective
Be prepared to discuss how the speeds of CD drives have increased steadily over the last few years and how DVD drives are standard on new computers. Most optical drives are able to write or burn discs. Provide an example of why you would do this, e.g., backup storage device for personal data.
Have students practice how to hold a disk so they get a sense of how easy it is to get dirt on the disc, thereby making it “skip” as with vinyl records.
Discuss the different speeds for drives, including those for writers. The next slide (and topic in the book) discusses this.
You may be asked about the difference between DVD and Blu-ray. Both are optical discs with the Blu-ray designed to be the “newer or better” product as it can store high-definition video, video games as well as other data up to 25 GB per single layer and 50 GB per dual layer discs.
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6. Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Optical Writers
Also known as burner drive, looks and acts like regular optical disc drive
Software comes with optical writer drive to “burn” or write data onto a disc
Formats of drives include:
CD-R/ DVD-R: can write once only to blank disc, but disc can be read multiple times
CD-RW/ DVD-RW: can read and write multiple times onto same disc
DVD-RAM: similar to DVD-RW but can only be used on devices that support this format; usually in the form of cartridges
Blank discs relatively inexpensive, with -R disks cheaper than -RW
Size of disc can be 650 or 700 MB, while DVDs can be 4.7GB to 17+GB with rapid access speeds
Special software needed to manipulate or edit video before burned to DVD
Pg 12
DVD drives are relatively inexpensive compared to in the past; take note that not all drives work the same way or have the software to manage the write feature. As well, if the new system came with the software, there may not be discs to use if installation is needed again. When a new system asks you to create restore disks, this action should be taken, especially if you want the burner software. Alternatively, take note of the software so you can go to that vendor’s site to download (or purchase) the latest version.
Discuss the issue of copyright here since most people relate DVDs to the movies they can buy (or rent) and then decide to make a copy of it for themselves. As with DVDs, the intent of the burner is to provide an avenue to put your own videos or home movies onto a media that can be read by multiple types of players. It was not meant to make copies of original works owned by other people.
Be prepared to answer questions from your students who may want your opinion on the pros and cons of having a DVD drive on a computer versus having a dedicated DVD player, and how or when they might want to actually burn a DVD (may be a decision that can be delayed as costs come down and requirements change for people who have digital cameras or video cameras and want copies of those “home” movies).
Questions may also come up in regards to which DVD burner to have installed on a computer.
Be sure students understand the difference between CD-R and CD-RW drives, as well as CD types (when purchasing blank CDs).
Blank “burn once” only (CD-R) CDs are cheaper than burn several times (CD-RW) blank CDs. There may also be a slight difference in price based on the amount of time or size for a blank CD, e.g., a 650Mb (74 min) blank CD will cost less than a 850Mb (80 min) blank CD.
Explain that the Mb represents total size of data files that can be burned to a blank CD, whereas the Min represents the total playing time available when burning audio files to a CD.
Be sure to bring up the topic of copyright when burning a CD of something other than personal data. You do not have to go into a lot of detail but do caution students that downloading a copy of an original work by someone else does not give them the right to do whatever they want with it. This is a good time to have an open discussion with students as to the different reasons why you might want to burn a CD, e.g., make backup copy of data, copy “home” videos onto CD for viewing on other computers, making the one legitimate backup copy of software you bought and registered for yourself (keeping original intact in safe place and using copy to run software), etc.
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7. Using Other Types of Storage Devices
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Using Other Types of Storage Devices
Tape drive or tape streamer uses cartridge with magnetic tape
Generally used to back up large amount of data
Use different formats, with tape sizes ranging from 250MB to over 80GB
Other tape drives use Digital Audio Tape (DAT) format
Zip drive similar to DVD-RAM drive except that disk can hold between 100MB and 750MB data
Offers relatively inexpensive storage option
Newer systems not compatible with original 100MB devices
Removable media systems can include flash memory cards, sticks or USB flash key/thumb drives, or external hard drives
Benefits include portability, large storage size, and data-sharing capability
Pg 13
Objectives
Discuss how these types of storage devices are generally external, but may be installed in the existing CPU. The difference is the size of the disk or tape being used to store the data. There should no favorites between the storage drive types as much as the benefit of each one for specific needs. For instance, a small company may choose to use a tape drive to back up the company data as the size of their data does not require a more expensive system. At the same time, it also excludes the use of flash drives as the company has a policy where no data can leave the office premises.
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8. Using Other Types of Storage Devices
Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide Module A Computing Fundamentals
Using Other Types of Storage Devices
Hard drives in network server similar to hard disk drives in computer
Traditionally much larger than available with desktop computer
May be set as disk array, as drives usually organized to work together
Remote or virtual storage systems do not exist on your computer or location
Common service provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP)
Drives on network or dedicated server at particular site
Must login to with secure ID and password to access information
Very useful for off-site backup storage of data, or as “central system” for people in multiple locations to share information
Disadvantage can be speed of Internet connection
Pg 13-14
Objective
How much discussion you have with students regarding how disk drives are set up on a server should be determined by the interest of the students. Most people will not need this information, although you can allude to the fact that Microsoft has a number of certifications that target this type of information for those students who may want more information for how computers or networks are set up.
Provide examples of how remote or virtual storage systems can be advantageous to someone, e.g., obtaining from any locale, sharing data with others such as pictures of family reunions or events, etc.
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