Storage Devices (3.2)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to storage devices, including types of drives, RAID configurations, and performance metrics.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A storage device that uses flash memory technology for storage, offering significantly better read performance than Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A storage device that stores data on metal or glass platters coated with a magnetic substance, using mechanical components (spindles) to read and write data.

Wear Leveling

A method used in SSDs to prolong their lifespan by distributing write and erase cycles across the memory blocks.

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)

A data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical disk drive components into one or more logical units for redundancy and performance.

RAID 0

A RAID configuration that uses disk striping without redundancy, which improves performance but does not protect against data loss if a disk fails.

RAID 1

A RAID configuration that uses disk mirroring, where data is duplicated on two disks, providing redundancy but sacrificing storage capacity.

RAID 5

A RAID configuration that combines disk striping with distributed parity, allowing data to be reconstructed after a single disk failure.

RAID 10

A RAID configuration that combines striping and mirroring, providing fault tolerance and improved performance by using multiple pairs of mirrored drives.

Secure Digital (SD) Card

A flash memory card used for storing data in portable devices, available in different capacities like SD, SDHC, and SDXC.

Non-Volatile Storage

Storage devices that retain data even when not powered on, including SSDs and HDDs.

PCI Express (PCIe)

A high-speed interface standard for connecting SSDs to a motherboard that allows for fast data transfer rates.

SATA interface

A commonly used interface for connecting HDDs and SSDs to motherboards, with varying speeds depending on the version.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

A sudden flash of electricity that can harm electronic components, necessitating precautions when handling SSDs.

Optical Drives (CD/DVD/Blu-ray)

Devices that read and write data on optical discs using lasers, including formats like CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-RE.

Data Throughput

The rate at which data can be read from or written to a storage device, typically measured in MB/s or GB/s.

Software vs. Hardware RAID

Software RAID uses the operating system for management, while hardware RAID relies on dedicated hardware card for better performance and reliability.

Basic Disc

storage technology used for reading and writing data on optical discs, typically used for CDs and DVDs.

Dynamic Disc

A type of disk that supports features like expanding storage and creating multiple volumes, allowing for more flexibility and better management of storage space than basic disks.

BD-RE

A rewritable Blu-ray disc that allows users to record, erase, and rewrite data multiple times

BD-R

A recordable Blu-ray disc that allows users to write data once, which cannot be erased or rewritten.

CD-R

A recordable compact disc that allows users to write data once, with no ability to erase or modify the information after it has been burned.

CD-RW

A rewritable compact disc that allows users to record, erase, and rewrite data multiple times.