SLR3 - Input, Output and Storage

Storage device

Any device used for either temporary/permanent storage of data

Drive

Device that reads + writes data from secondary storage

Media

What data actually stored on

Optical storage

Works by shine laser at media and processing reflections, lands and pits store 0s and 1s

Optical storage positives

• Cheap

• Lightweight

• Portable

Optical storage negatives

• Slow access times

• Prone to scratches

Magnetic storage

North and south polarity store 0s and 1s, refined = hight capacity

Magnetic storage positives

• Cheap

• Large capacity

Magnetic storage negatives

• Slow access times

• Fragile

Solid state

Works by flow of electricity forcing electrons into floating gates between two oxide layers causes change in charge = 0s and 1s

Solid state positives

• Durable

• Fast access time

Solid state negatives

• Cost

• Limited read/write

ROM

• Small piece of read only memory located on motherboard

• Non - volatile

• Contains first instructions for computer

RAM

• Temp storage of instructions and data

• Holds information being executed by processor

• Volatile

• Much faster than hard disk

Why ROM needed?

Contains bootstrap performed on power on self test (POST) which send signals to all connected components , wakes them up and makes CPU aware of them so OS can be loaded which is in secondary storage

Input Device

Used to put data and information into a computer.

Output device

Used to send information from the computer

Virtual Storage

Storing and retrieving data over the internet in the cloud instead of a local storage device.

Advantages of Virtual Storage

• Data can be accessed at any time from any device as long as there is internet.

• Data can be easily shared without the need for removable media transfer

• Easily to collaborate

Disadvantages of Virtual Storage

• Can become quite expensive.

• If connection is poor, access times can be slow.

• No internet connection means no access to youe files.