Data storage devices are used to store digital data in a machine-readable format, fulfilling one of the core functions of a computer.
When an operating system is installed onto a computer, or a program or application, and when a file is saved, they are stored on a secondary storage device like a hard drive. As opposed to primary storage, known as main memory, RAM, ROM, or cache, secondary storage is used to permanently store computer software and data.
There are three types of secondary storage devices: magnetic, solid-state, and optical.
Magnetic storage devices include hard disk drives, which use a magnetic field to magnetize sections of the disk to store data. Modern storage devices of this type tend to be large and inexpensive. Solid-state devices use flash memory to store data and tend to be small, fast, but expensive for the amount of data they can hold. Optical storage devices use a laser to read data from a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disk. While data can also be written to the disk, it is usually permanent.
Hard drives can be compared to filing cabinets. They are used to permanently store the computer's operating system, installed programs, documents, photographs, music, and other data. When you click to boot up a web browser, a word processing program, or a game, the software for that application is loaded from the hard disk into the computer's primary memory (RAM), so that it can be used. The size or capacity of a hard drive is usually measured in gigabytes or terabytes, although older drives were measured in megabytes. The disk spins at 7200 rpm, although some drives are slower.
The disk connects to the computer's motherboard using a SATA cable. Computer systems usually come preinstalled with a hard disk drive, also known as an internal drive because it is installed within the computer casing. A hard drive must be formatted by the operating system before it can store data. Inside the hard drive is a stack of double-sided disk platters with an actuator arm that contains an electromagnetic read/write head that hovers just above the surface of the disk. As the disk platters rotate, the actuator arm moves back and forth, positioning the head on the correct track or sector of the disk in order to read or write the necessary data.
Hard disk drives that are not installed within the computer casing are known as external hard drives. Designed for portability, they are smaller and they generally plus into a computer's USB port.
Solid state drives perform like hard drives but are faster and more expensive. SSDs are made of non-volatile NAND flash memory, a type of memory that retains data even if the power is turned off. SSDs have no moving parts, and are used in smaller laptops and notebook computers, as well as in some tablet devices, where large amounts of data storage are not required.
SSD drives can hold more than two terabytes but large capacity SSDs are expensive. Because they are much faster than magnetic storage devices, some modern desktops come with an SSD installed.
Not used so much anymore, DVDs and Blu-ray drives were popularly used to store movies, while CDs were once commonly used for movable data storage and as data backup. The surface of a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disk is marked with pits, which is how the data is encoded onto the disk. Whenever a pit is encountered, a laser beam is not reflected and is interpreted as a 0. If there is no pit, the laser beam is reflected and interpreted as a 1.
Laptops, tablet devices, and digital cameras are often shipped with built-in memory card readers, the most common of which is the SD card, which itself may be full-sized or a Micro SD card. Adaptors are available to allow the use of a Micro SD card with a standard SD reader or for use through a USB slot.
Also known as memory sticks, USB flash drives are small, and they plug into the USB port on a computer or laptop, allowing files to be copied to them for easy transport of data from one device to another. USB drives come in a variety of shapes and capacities.
Network attached storage (NAS) drives are used to store and backup files to a central point on a network. All of the machines on the network can access files stored on the NAS drive.
Some vintage computers used tape cassettes or floppy disks for storage, and many of these vintage machines are still in use by hobbyists. Other, more short-lived types of storage have also been used throughout the years and would be appropriate topics for this category, as well as those that are commonly in use today.
Categories
Computer ForensicsData Recovery Services |
 
 
Recommended Resources
ADATA Technologies Corporation
The Taiwanese memory and storage manufacturer is global in scope. Its chief products include DRAM modules, USB flash drives, hard disk drives, solid-state drives, memory cards, and mobile accessories, as well as robotics, electric powertrain systems, and a line of LED lighting products, offering products for consumers, gamers, and industry. Each of its products is highlighted, with specifications and other details, and country/region-specific areas of the site are included.
https://www.adata.com/
Ansarada is a global provider of next generation virtual data rooms that enable faster, easier and safer business transactions. Our services are used by the world’s leading companies, investment banks, legal and advisory firms in business transactions such as M&A, joint ventures, fundraising and other due diligence based projects. Operating since 2005 our virtual data rooms are independently certified to the highest security standards and supported by experienced professionals 24/7.
http://www.ansarada.com
Kingston Technology Corporation
Kingston is a US-based computer technology company that designs, manufactures, and distributes flash memory products and related computer products worldwide, including the HyperX brand of headsets, solid-state drives, keyboards, and mousepads. Its products may be browsed online or found by system, device, module capacity, or other variables. A directory of retailers is posted, its reseller program is discussed, and warranty and product verification are available online.
https://www.kingston.com/
Specializing in the production of external hard drives, RAID arrays, optical drives, flash drives, and computer monitors, LaCie is a French computer hardware company, although it was founded in Oregon in 1987, and is now a subsidiary of Seagate. LaCie designs storage solutions for photographers, videographers, audio professionals, and other high-demand users. A profile of the company, partner contacts, press kits, and industry news are published to the site.
https://www.lacie.com/
Headquartered in Idaho, the US-based manufacturer of computer memory and data storage products was founded in 1978, and now serves a global market, offering dynamic random-access memory, flash memory, USB flash drives, and other data storage technologies, including NAND flash memory. Its products are listed and detailed, with technical notes, downloadable flyers, catalogs, and other resources, such as datasheets, firmware, and numbering guides.
https://www.micron.com/
Based in Texas, the global company is best known for its RAM computer memory modules, serving the gaming industry and other industries, including Apple and NASA, and it also manufactures solid-state drives, power supply units, USB flash drives, and RAM modules for desktops, servers, and laptops. A profile of the company and its products are presented, along with support options, which include support requests for customers and warranty information.
http://www.poweredbymushkin.com/
Founded in 1988, SanDisk is a Western Digital brand of flash memory products that include memory cards and readers, USB flash drives, dual drives, and solid-state drives. Originally an independent company, SanDisk was acquired by Western Digital in 2016. Its products are pictured and described here, and an online shopping area is provided. Customers may check order status, warranty policies, return policies, and shopping information. Discount products are highlighted.
https://shop.westerndigital.com/sandisk
Incorporated as Shugart Technology in 1978, Seagate’s primary products are its data storage devices, and was a major supplier of hard disk drives to the microcomputer market in the 1980s, and currently dominates the HDD market. A profile of the company is presented, its board of directors introduced, and employment opportunities are published to the site. Other resources include a product finder, a directory of retailers carrying its product, and an industry blog.
https://www.seagate.com/
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Spectra is a computer data storage company that manufactures backup and archive technology for secondary storage, protecting data after it migrates from a primary disk, as well as for archiving, backup, cold storage, and private and public cloud storage. Founded in 1979, its tape libraries, disk-based storage, object storage, and software are highlighted, along with its disaster recovery services, support options, and technical training.
https://spectralogic.com/
The German-based data storage company produces data storage products, particularly streamers, including drives using the QIC and VXA formats, as well as LTO, autoloaders, tape libraries, NAS devices, RDX removable disk drives, media, and virtual tape libraries. The site’s content is divided into US English, EMEA English, EMEA German, APAC Engish, APAC Chinese, and APAC Japanese. Its products, support services, partnerships, and corporate data are included.
https://www.tandbergdata.com/
Western Digital is a US-based manufacturer of hard disk drives and other data storage devices, data center systems, and technology products, including cloud storage. Its storage platforms, data center drives, embedded and removable flash products, and internal drives are featured, along with the industries it serves, use cases, technology focus, academic collaborations, and research publications. An online shopping area is included, along with an industry blog.
https://www.westerndigital.com/
The Massachusetts company manufactures high-performance storage and server systems for commercial and federal government clients. Founded in 1981, the company produces products for clients using a variety of systems, such as Unix, Solaris, Windows, Linux, and VMware, particularly its Flash line, which includes FlaskDisk, FlashNAS, and FlashServer, and others which are described here, along with the industries it serves, best-practice guides, informational articles, and support services.
https://www.winsys.com/