Storage Peripherals

Essay A01C(i) - Input / Output Peripherals

Storage Peripherals

Memory:-

SD-RAM - Single Data Random Access Memory is commonly used in computers for temporary storage of data. Because it needs a constant power source to contain stored data, it loses all information it contains when the power is cut or the computer is turned off. Its access time is measured in nanoseconds (ns) because the time it takes to access data, change a 1 to a 0 or 0 to a 1 is so small. It comes in specifications of PC100, PC133, PC166, PC200, PC233 and PC266, the best specification being PC266.

DIMM - This type of memory is specially designed for 128 pin DIMM memory slots. The advantage of this is that more information can be transferred at one time and more information stored on one slot.

DD-RAM - Double Data Random Access Memory is twice as fast as Single Data RAM because two sets of information are transferred at one time. One disadvantage of this type of storage is that it needs a double data processor to comprehend the transfer of data. The only processor that has this capability at the moment is the Pentium 4. This method of storage also requires a constant supply of electricity.

HDD:-

A Hard Disk Drive is the most common method of permanent storage because of its good capacity capabilities and its good data access time. Hard Drives come in a wide range of specifications of storage capacities, access time and data transfer rate. A Hard Disks speed is measured in Rotations Per Second (rpm). A Hard Disks capacity is measured is Megabytes or Gigabytes depending on how large it is and is made up of Cylinders and Clusters. Its data capacity also relies on the format of the Hard Drive. The newest format for most Hard Drives is the FAT32 system (File Allocation Table 32).

Zip Drive:-

This uses cassettes as a way of retrieving and storing data. The capacity of these disks can be anything from 50 to 250 megabytes per disk.

3½ Inch Floppy Drive:-

This is the most common of the removable storage family. It uses floppy disks that range from 1.44 to 2.88 megabytes in capacity and can be double sided.

5¼ Inch Floppy Drive:-

This was one of the first removable storage devices made and is very rare these days because of its low performance and little capabilities. The disks ...