Module_5_Study_Questions

5.1 - Storage Devices

Advantages of SSDs over other forms of storage media:

• Speed: SSDs offer significantly faster read/write speeds compared to traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), resulting in improved efficiency for booting up systems and launching applications. This is primarily due to their use of flash memory, which allows for instant access to data stored on the device.

• Durability: Unlike HDDs, SSDs have no moving parts, which makes them inherently more durable against physical shock and vibration. This results in a lower likelihood of mechanical failure making SSDs suitable for portable devices. Additionally, the lack of moving parts contributes to a quieter operation.

• Power Efficiency: SSDs consume less power than HDDs, leading to reduced heat generation. This is particularly advantageous in laptops where battery life is vital, as SSDs can significantly extend usage time between charges.

• Performance: Enhanced performance is evident in tasks such as booting time, application loading, and overall system responsiveness. Users can experience much quicker file transfers and access times, improving productivity.

Differences between Flash Devices and Hard Disks:

• Flash Storage: Flash storage technology utilizes electrical circuits to store data, resulting in no moving parts which translates to better durability and speed. Data is accessed quickly as it can be read directly from the chips regardless of the size of the files.

• Hard Disks: HDDs function through mechanical components such as spinning platters and moving read/write heads that access data; this mechanism can slow down performance, especially as data becomes fragmented over time.

Types of Storage Devices:

• Magnetic Media:

  • Hard Disk Drives (HDDs): Utilized in desktop computers and servers for large capacity storage but are slower due to mechanical parts.

  • Tape Drives: Used primarily for backups due to their high capacity and low cost, but they provide slower access speeds.

• Optical Media:

  • CDs: Typically hold around 700 MB and used for music and software distribution.

  • DVDs: They come in single-layer variations (4.7 GB) and dual-layer variations (8.5 GB), commonly used for video and software storage.

  • Blu-ray Discs: With higher capacity options (25 GB single-layer, up to 50 GB dual-layer), these discs cater to high-definition video and large data storage requirements.

• Solid State:

  • SSDs: Known for their high speed and reliability.

  • USB Flash Drives: Portable storage options that use flash memory for easy transport of data.

  • Memory Cards: Widely used in cameras and devices requiring compact storage solutions, suitable for photos and app data.

5.2 - SATA

Enhancements of SATA2 over original SATA:

• Speed: SATA2 technology doubles the transfer speed to 3 Gb/s compared to the original SATA's 1.5 Gb/s, making data transfers quicker and improving overall system performance.

• Hot-Plugging: This feature has been improved in SATA2, allowing users to add and remove devices without shutting down the system, enhancing workflow and task efficiency.

• Performance: The introduction of Native Command Queuing (NCQ) allows multiple commands to be queued and executed efficiently, leading to a significant performance boost, particularly for multitasking.

eSATA:

• Definition: External SATA (eSATA) provides a connection for external storage devices that need to utilize the performance characteristics of internal SATA connections.

• Use Case: It is ideal for external hard drives and storage arrays that need higher performance than USB 2.0, making it suitable for applications such as video editing and high-speed data transfer tasks.

Configuring SATA2 with SATA1 only support:

• Set the jumper on the drive to limit its speed to match the capabilities of SATA1.

• Adjust BIOS settings to force the SATA mode to recognize only SATA1 devices, ensuring compatibility.

5.3 - Optical Media

Data Capacities:

• CD: Approximately 700 MB, suitable for music, small applications, and document storage.

• DVD: Available in 4.7 GB for single-layer and 8.5 GB for dual-layer, used for movies, software applications, and larger files.

• Blu-ray: Supports 25 GB in single-layer and 50 GB in dual-layer, widely used for high-definition movies and data storage for larger games and software.

Optical Drive Speed Indicator (24x10x70):

• 24x: Indicates the read speed; this means data can be read at 24 times the base speed.

• 10x: Denotes the write speed for recordable discs, indicating the rate at which data can be written.

• 70x: Relates to the write speed for rewritable discs, providing insight into reusability and flexibility for storage options.

Speed Comparison for 4x Reads:

• DVD 4x = 5.28 MB/s, reflects a slow yet steady data retrieval rate typical of standard DVDs.

• Blu-ray 4x = 18 MB/s, indicating superior performance primarily because of its advanced technology and larger data structure.

Blu-ray Compatibility with Media Types:

• Blu-ray employs different laser wavelengths for CD (650 nm), DVD (650 nm), and Blu-ray (405 nm) to access various forms of media efficiently.

• It uses multiple lenses that can switch seamlessly, allowing a single drive to read and write different formats without compatibility issues.

BD-R vs BD-RE:

• BD-R: Blu-ray Disc Recordable (BD-R) allows data to be written once, making it ideal for permanent storage of critical data.

• BD-RE: Blu-ray Disc Rewritable (BD-RE) enables multiple rewrites, providing flexibility for ongoing projects and data that require updating.

Optical Drive Connector:

• Optical drives connect to the computer via SATA interface, similar to modern SSDs and HDDs, ensuring high data transmission speeds and compatibility with newer systems.

5.4 - RAID

Striping vs Mirroring:

• Striping (RAID 0): In this configuration, data is split across multiple drives which leads to increased performance, but no redundancy. This means if one drive fails, all data across the drives is lost.

• Mirroring (RAID 1): Provides data redundancy by copying the same data onto twin drives. This ensures that even if one drive fails, the data still exists on another drive, providing a safety net for data crucial systems.

Parity:

• Parity is a form of error-checking information, enabling data reconstruction in the event of a drive failure. This mechanism is fundamental in multi-drive setups to maintain data integrity.

RAID 0 Performance Improvement:

• Performance is enhanced due to simultaneous reads/writes to multiple drives, thereby increasing data throughput. However, the risk level is high as loss of any single drive results in total data loss.

Data Loss in RAID 0 Configuration:

• If any single drive fails within a RAID 0 array, the entire array loses its data, emphasizing the importance of regular backups when using this configuration. The minimum requirement for RAID 0 is two drives.

Minimum Disks for RAID 5:

• RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives to configure, allowing it to offer a combination of performance and data redundancy.

RAID 5 Advantages:

• Provides better storage efficiency compared to RAID 1 while still surviving one drive’s failure without data loss. This makes it an optimal choice for balancing performance with reliability in storage setups.

5.5 - File Systems

Partition vs Volume:

• Partition: Represents a physical division of a hard drive, allowing different sections of the drive to be managed independently.

• Volume: Refers to the logical representation of a storage area that may span one or more partitions, offering flexibility in file management and allocation.

NTFS vs FAT32 Advantages:

• Larger File Size Support: NTFS is capable of supporting files larger than 4GB, which is beneficial for modern applications and large media files.

• Security Features: NTFS includes robust security mechanisms such as file permissions and encryption, enhancing data protection.

• File Compression & Disk Quotas: NTFS allows file compression to save space and set quotas for users to manage storage usage efficiently.

• Journey Tracking: NTFS includes journaling capabilities that assist in recovering files more effectively post corruption events, a critical attribute for data security.

5.6 - Storage Management

Requirements for Creating a Mount Point:

• Must be an empty NTFS folder on the same volume that it references to ensure seamless operation and access.

• Administrative privileges are necessary to create a mount point, highlighting the importance of security in file management.

Volumes Supporting Mount Points:

• Only NTFS volumes support mount points, which allows for flexible storage management and organization of data across drives.

Prerequisites for Extending a Volume on a Basic Disk:

• There must be unallocated space available immediately following the volume; this space is crucial for successful extension.

• The volume must be formatted as NTFS to utilize the extension feature effectively.

Dynamic Disks Advantages for Volume Extension:

• Dynamic disks allow extension across multiple drives, providing flexibility for growth as storage needs increase.

• They support online configuration changes which make real-time management of storage easier without downtime.

Difference between Extended Volume and Spanned Volume:

• Extended Volume: This configuration continues on the same disk, allowing space on one disk to be utilized more efficiently.

• Spanned Volume: This spreads data across multiple disks, which can optimize storage capacity but might lead to performance issues due to the dependency on all disks functioning properly.

5.7 - Storage Spaces

Components for Creating Storage Spaces:

• Physical Drives: These can be HDDs or SSDs that are combined to create a storage pool.

• Storage Pools: A group of physical drives that provide flexibility for management and redundancy.

• Storage Spaces: Acts as a virtual drive derived from the storage pool, allowing users to utilize the combined capacity and features of the physical storage systems.

Difference between Storage Pool and Storage Space:

• Pool: This is a collection of physical drives, allowing for easier management and organization of storage resources.

• Space: Refers to a virtual drive created from the pool's resources, offering an aggregated storage solution.

Hardware Devices for Storage Pools:

• Can include internal drives, external USB drives, and SAS/SATA drives to maximize availability of storage options and flexibility in setups.

Benefits of Using Storage Pools:

• Help to offer flexible storage expansion options which can adjust to increasing data storage requirements.

• Provide better resilience against drive failures, enhancing data security and integrity through redundancy features.

• Simplify volume management, allowing for easier updates and scalability in the storage life cycle.

5.8 - Disk Optimization

Disk Cleanup App Functions:

• The app efficiently removes unnecessary temporary files, which optimizes disk performance.

• Deletes unused system files to free up disk space and enhance system responsiveness.

• Empties the recycle bin to reclaim space that is not effectively used.

Causes of Fragmentation:

• Fragmentation occurs when files are stored in non-contiguous sections of the disk, resulting in slower access times as the read/write head must move to multiple locations to retrieve files.

• Performing defragmentation helps consolidate files for improved access speed and overall performance of the disk.

Defragmenting SSDs:

• Defragmentation is not recommended for SSDs due to their inherent access methods that do not require contiguous storage for performance. The process can actually reduce the lifespan of an SSD by increasing write cycles unnecessarily.

Lost Cluster vs Cross-linked File:

• Lost Cluster: Refers to files that are not indexed but still occupy usable space on the drive, potentially misleading users about available storage.

• Cross-linked File: Indicates an error where multiple files point to the same data location, leading to potential data corruption or loss if not addressed.

Utility for Detecting Bad Clusters:

• The chkdsk utility is effective in detecting and marking bad sectors on a drive, which prevents the system from using them and helps maintain the integrity of stored data.

5.9 - Storage and RAID Troubleshooting

Improving Slow Hard Disk Performance:

• Perform disk defragmentation (only applicable for HDDs) to reorganize fragmented data, thus enhancing access speeds.

• Run disk cleanup to remove unnecessary files that can hinder performance.

• Check for file system errors to ensure files and data structures are intact and functioning properly.

• Update disk drivers regularly for best performance and compatibility with the operating system updates.

System Fails to Boot - OS Not Found Error:

• Possible reasons for an OS not found error may include an incorrect boot order, leading to attempts to boot from the wrong device, or a corrupted boot sector that cannot load the operating system.

• Hardware failures, such as a failed hard drive, could also prevent the system from recognizing the installed operating system.

Hard Disk Not Recognized by BIOS/UEFI:

• Check all cable connections to ensure that the drive is properly connected.

• Verify the settings in BIOS configuration to make sure that the drive is recognized.

• Test the hard disk in different SATA ports to rule out port issues or failures.

Noisy Hard Disk:

• In the case of a noisy hard disk, it is critical to back up data immediately as noise can indicate mechanical failure risks.

• Replace the drive to prevent data loss which might become inevitable if the drive completely fails.

Optimizing SSD Lifespan:

• Enable TRIM support in the operating system to allow the SSD to manage unused blocks more efficiently, enhancing performance and lifespan.

• Avoid defragmentation as it is unnecessary and can reduce the lifespan of SSDs.

• Keep free space available on the SSD to promote efficient performance and avoid write amplification.

• Regularly update SSD firmware for optimal functionality which can include improvements and fixes from the manufacturer.