Backing Up Storage
Backing up storage devices saves your data from getting deleted so if your hard drive gets wiped, you will still have your data in the back up storage. For example, if your hard drive fails, you will need to get a brand new hard drive instead and if you did not back up your computer before, all your data is lost. Hence, backups are vital to keep data secure.
Backing storage devices can be grouped into three different categories: primary, secondary and tertiary storage (memory). Primary storage devices are located inside the computer as they are usually small in capacity and mostly get lost when the computer is turned off. However, secondary storage is higher in capacity than primary storage devices. Secondary storage is also located in the computer and it makes sure that the data stored stays there permanently. The tertiary storage includes portable storage devices that are to be attached to the computer and/or can transfer data on different computers. Its size varies depending upon the device that you are using.
Primary Storage
Primary storage, also known as Primary memory. This is the main area in a computer where data is stored so the user can access it quickly. RAM is the main type of primary storage as it is used in all computers. In addition, it satisfies all the characteristics needed for a primary storage device such as having a temporary storage instead of permanent.
Their (primary storage devices) performance is affected by:
- The BUS width. Greater Bus width can transfer more data.
- The clock speed (the speed at which it processes the data to be stored) of the CPU.
- Amount of memory available to the user.
They (devices below) are all part of the primary storage devices because they are internal components and have a little amount of storage capacity. In addition, they are not used for permanent storage.
1)ROM
2)BIOS
3)Cache
Secondary Storage
(Hard Drives- as an example)
Even though the computer’s internal hard drive is the main data storage centre on it, users tend to use external hard drives as a way of backing up their data.
Secondary storage devices are devices that are used for permanent storage. They can be removable,internal, or external storage. In addition, they are higher in capacity than primary storage devices. This is because they store all of the computer's data.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is the main types of secondary storage devices as it stores data such as software. The data that is stored stays on the hard drive until it is deleted.
There are two types of hard disks:
Magnetic hard disks (HDD) have a number moving parts, which means that they could easily get damaged internally if they are dropped, hence making them less portable than solid state drives (SSD) which don’t have the moving parts. In addition, magnetic hard disks are cheaper than solid state drives. However, solid state drives are also quite big and heavy like magnetic hard drives so these have a little portability as well.
However an advantage of using external hard drives it is that they usually have 40GB - 1TB of storage capacity.
Their performance (secondary storage devices) is affected by:
(Hard Drives- as an example)
Even though the computer’s internal hard drive is the main data storage centre on it, users tend to use external hard drives as a way of backing up their data.
Secondary storage devices are devices that are used for permanent storage. They can be removable,internal, or external storage. In addition, they are higher in capacity than primary storage devices. This is because they store all of the computer's data.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is the main types of secondary storage devices as it stores data such as software. The data that is stored stays on the hard drive until it is deleted.
There are two types of hard disks:
Magnetic hard disks (HDD) have a number moving parts, which means that they could easily get damaged internally if they are dropped, hence making them less portable than solid state drives (SSD) which don’t have the moving parts. In addition, magnetic hard disks are cheaper than solid state drives. However, solid state drives are also quite big and heavy like magnetic hard drives so these have a little portability as well.
However an advantage of using external hard drives it is that they usually have 40GB - 1TB of storage capacity.
Their performance (secondary storage devices) is affected by:
- Amount of memory that the device can go up to.
- The speed at which the CPU can process the information required to access the data.
- Condition of the device.
(USB Sticks-as an example)
Here we have devices that are used for storage needs. Mainly used for their portability, meaning that the data on one computer can be accessed on another computer. The capacity of the storage depends upon the device. For example, USB memory sticks are portable and easy to use. In addition, the data can be saved and accessed easily so that is why USBs are useful.
List of some Tertiary Storage devices:
They (devices below) are all part of the primary storage devices because they are internal components and have a little amount of storage capacity. In addition, they are not used for permanent storage.
(1)External Hard Drive
(2)CD/DVD Disk
(3)Floppy Disk: Floppy disks have been mostly replaced by improved/updated forms of backing up storage, but was one of the first ways to store files and documents in a portable way in the late 1994's and its capacity started up as 100 MB. Similarly to magnetic hard drives, they contained moving parts which limited their portability as they could be internally damaged if dropped.
(4)SD Card: A flash memory card (also known as a SD Card) is a small storage peripheral which can store documents, pictures, sound files and videos on a wide range of portable electronic devices such as phones. Unlike floppy disks, they have a solid state memory and are small in size which makes them portable as well. However, their price is higher than a normal hard drive and they cannot store as much data on them (can only store up to 64GB).
Their 'performance is affected by...' part is similar to Secondary storage devices group.
Here we have devices that are used for storage needs. Mainly used for their portability, meaning that the data on one computer can be accessed on another computer. The capacity of the storage depends upon the device. For example, USB memory sticks are portable and easy to use. In addition, the data can be saved and accessed easily so that is why USBs are useful.
List of some Tertiary Storage devices:
They (devices below) are all part of the primary storage devices because they are internal components and have a little amount of storage capacity. In addition, they are not used for permanent storage.
(1)External Hard Drive
(2)CD/DVD Disk
(3)Floppy Disk: Floppy disks have been mostly replaced by improved/updated forms of backing up storage, but was one of the first ways to store files and documents in a portable way in the late 1994's and its capacity started up as 100 MB. Similarly to magnetic hard drives, they contained moving parts which limited their portability as they could be internally damaged if dropped.
(4)SD Card: A flash memory card (also known as a SD Card) is a small storage peripheral which can store documents, pictures, sound files and videos on a wide range of portable electronic devices such as phones. Unlike floppy disks, they have a solid state memory and are small in size which makes them portable as well. However, their price is higher than a normal hard drive and they cannot store as much data on them (can only store up to 64GB).
Their 'performance is affected by...' part is similar to Secondary storage devices group.