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Storage Devices Ch.#4

Chapter No.4

Storage Devices

Memory is Working Area of Computer:- Digital computers are

stored program computers i.e. for execution, a program must be
loaded in the memory first. So in this sense main memory is called
working area of computer.
Importance of Memory:- Computer cannot work without having
some kind of main memory.
Structure of Main Memory:- Main memory consists of millions of
cells. each cell is capable of storing a bit 0 or 1. These cells are
organized into group of 8 bits (Binary Digits) called a byte. Each
byte of memory is assigned a unique number which is called address
of that byte.
Use of Address in memory/How data is accessed in main
memory:
CPU or any other component of computer can access any byte from
the main memory by specifying its address.
Why Main Memory is called Direct Access Storage Device:Main memory is called direct access storage device because different
bytes of main memory can be accessed directly in a random order in
equal amount of time.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is very fast but very limited in
capacity.
Characteristics of RAM: Volatile:- RAM is called volatile memory because the content of the
memory are lost when the electricity supply is cut-off.
Read/Write Memory:- RAM is called Read Write memory because
CPU can perform Read and Write operations. During Read
Operations, the content of memory locations are copied to a CPU
register. During Write operation, the content of a CPU register are
copied to memory location.
Random Access Memory:- RAM is called Radom Access Memory

Main Memory

RAM

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

Storage Devices Ch.#4

Read & Write

Operation

Types of RAM

Cache Memory

because it takes equal amount of time to access any location in RAM.

Temporary:- RAM is called temporary memory because data and
instructions are stored temporary in it.
During Read Operations, the content of memory locations are copied to a
CPU register. During Write operation, the content of a CPU register are
copied to memory location.
There are two types of RAM
1. SRAM
2. DRAM
SRAM
DRAM
SRAM stands for Static Random
DRAM stands for Dynamic
Access Memory.
Random Access Memory.
It is faster than DRAM
It is slower than SRAM
It is more expensive than DRAM
It is less expensive than SRAM
Content of SRAM do not need to
Content of DRAM needs to be
be refreshed periodically.
refreshed periodically.
It consumes less power.
It consumes lot of power.
SRAM technology is used to built
It is used to built RAM chips.
very fast memory inside CPU chip.
This memory is known as Cache
Memory
SRAM technology is used to built very fast memory inside CPU chip. This
memory is known as Cache Memory. Cache memory is small in size as
compared to main memory. It increases the performance of CPU. This
memory management is shown below:
CPU

ROM

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Cache

Main
Memory

Disk

ROM stands for Read Only Memory.

Characteristics of ROM: Non-Volatile:- ROM is called non-volatile memory because the

Storage Devices Ch.#4

Use of ROM
Types of ROM

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

content of the memory are not lost when the electricity supply is cutoff.
Read Only Memory:- ROM is called Read Only Memory because
CPU can perform only Read operations. New data cannot be written
into ROM.
Random Access Memory:- ROM is called Radom Access Memory
because it takes equal amount of time to access any location in RAM.
Permanent:- ROM is called permanent memory because data and
instructions are stored permanently in it.
1. It is used to store frequently used programs which are not changed for
a long period of time like operating system routines.
2. It is used to store programs which are necessary to start up computer
system.
1. PROM: Its stands for Programmable Read Only Memory.
It is initially blank.
Manufacturer or user can write his own data or programs on it by
using special devices.
Data or program written on it cannot be altered.
It is used for storing data for long period of time.
2. EPROM: Its stands for Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory.
It is initially blank.
Manufacturer or user can write his own data or programs on it by
using special devices and ultraviolet rays.
Data or program written on it can be altered by using special
devices and ultraviolet rays.
It is used for storing data that may be updated. Frequently
changing data is not written on EPROM
3. EEPROM: Its stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory.

Storage Devices Ch.#4

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

It is initially blank.
User can write his own data or programs on it by using special
electrical devices.
Data or program written on it can easily be altered by using
special electrical devices.
It is used for storing data that may be updated periodically.
Main memory of computer is connected to the CPU through data bus, address
bus and control bus. We know these buses can be called system bus.

CPU

Memory

System Bus

How does
memory
works?

Memory Units

How CPU performs Read Operation?

When CPU wants to perform read operation, it performs following tasks.
1. It places read request on control bus.
2. It places address of byte or word on address bus where it is stored.
3. Memory unit reads the command and address
4. Memory unit puts the required data on data bus.
CPU reads data from data bus.
How CPU performs Write Operation?
When CPU wants to perform write operation, it performs following tasks.
1. It places write request on control bus.
2. It places address of byte or word on address bus where it wants to store.
3. CPU puts the data on data bus.
4. Memory unit reads the data on data bus.
5. Memory unit store the data at the specified address.
Bit: A bit (binary digit) is a smallest unit of data that can be used by a
computer. It can be either 0 or 1.
Nibble: 1 Nibble = 4 bits
Byte: A byte is a group of eight bits. It can store a character. The size of

Storage Devices Ch.#4

How data is
organized
within a byte or
word?

computers memory is often measured in number of bytes in it.

Different memory units are:
1 Nibble = 4 bits = 22 bits
1 Byte = 8 bits = 23 bits
1 KB(Kilo Bytes) = 1024 bytes = 210 bits
1 MB(Mega Bytes) = 1024 KB = 220 bits
1 GB(Giga Bytes) = 1024 MB = 230 bits
1 TB(Rera Bytes) = 1024 GB = 240 bits
A byte or word is a collection of bits. The bits within a byte or words are
arranged in a row from left to right. Left end of this row is called high-orderend. Right end of this row is called low-order-end.
The bit at left end of a byte or word is called high-order bit or Most
Significant Bit (MSB).
The bit at right end of a byte or word is called low-order bit or Least
Significant Bit (MSB).
MSB

Secondary
Memory

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LSB

Bit 7 Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0

Why we need secondary memory?
We know that main memory is volatile and small is size so in order to save
large amount of data or programs permanently, we need secondary memory.
Secondary storage devices:The devices which are used to save large amount of data or programs
permanently are called secondary storage devices. For example Hard Disk,
Floppy Disk.
How secondary storage devices can be categorized?
1. Storage Means:- A storage device can store data optically or
magnetically
2. Storage Technique:- A storage device can store data using sequential
access storage or direct access storage.
3. Capacity of storage medium:- The capacity of storage medium
means how much data can be stored on the device.

Storage Devices Ch.#4

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

4. Portability of the medium:- Portability of medium means whether

the medium can be moved easily or not.
5. Access time:- The time in which a device locates an item on a storage
medium is called access time. Access time of storage devices is
slower than main memory.
Access Methods:1. Sequential Access/Serial Access:- The data in sequential access
storage is accessed in a sequence. It continue ready data until the
required data is found. This method of accessing data is time
consuming. Magnetic tape is an example of sequential access storage.
2. Direct Access/ Radom Access:- The data in direct access storage can
be accessed directly. The required data is accessed by specifying its
address. This method of accessing data is fast. Magnetic disc and CD
are examples of direct access storage
Comparison of Main memory and Secondary Storage:-

Hard Disk

Main Memory
Secondary Storage
It is expensive.
It is cheap.
Its capacity is small.
Its capacity is large.
It provides fast data access
It provides slow data access.
RAM is an example of main
Hard Disk is an example of main
memory.
memory.
Its contents are stored
Its contents are stored magnetically
electronically.
or optically.
It is directly connected to CPU.
It is not directly connected to CPU.
It is volatile.
It is non-volatile.
Use of Hard Disk:Hard disk are used permanently store large amount of data. Most digital
computers use at least one hard disk drive.
How performance of Hard disk is measured?
Date rate and Seek time is used to measure the performance of hard disk.
1) Data Rate is the number of byte per second delivered to CPU. Data
rates 5 to 40 megabytes per second are common.

Storage Devices Ch.#4

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

2) Seek Time is the time used to move the head of disk to required track
after reading the address.
Hard Disk Controller:- Hard disk controller is responsible read/write data
on hard disk.
How data is Organized?
Sectors:- Tracks are concentric circles. The tracks are further divided
into sectors. Data is stored on the surface of platter in sectors and
tracks.
Tracks:- Tracks are concentric circles. The tracks are further divided
into sectors. Data is stored on the surface of platter in sectors and
tracks. Typically a track is divided into 8 sectors. A track contains a
fixed number of bytes of data i.e. 512 bytes. Tracks on surface are
numbered from 0,1,2,,n.
Cylinder:-All tracks on disk with same track numbers make up a
cylinder.
Data Rate
Seek Time
Hard disk
controller
Low Level
Formatting
High Level
Formatting
Compact Disk

A drive mark the tracks and sectors on the disk during low level formatting.
Usually low level formatting is done by the manufacturer of the disk. This
process writes starting and ending points of each sector on the platter. Level
formatting process prepares the disk to store data.
The information about file-storage is written on disk during high level
formatting. The information is called File Allocation Table(FAT). High
Level formatting process prepares the disk to store data.
Compact Disk (CD) is most commonly used to store data. CD is usually
called CD-ROM(Compact Disk Read Only Memory). It can store more than
700 MB of data.
Structure of CD:Diameters of these disks is 5 inches. It consists of reflective material with a

Storage Devices Ch.#4

Magnetic
Tape/Tape
Storage

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

clear protective coating.

How data is stored and retrieved?
Information is recorded by creating variations on the reflective surface of
CD. Information can be retrieved by detecting variations with a leaser beam.
Difference between CD and Magnetic disc:- Information on CD is stored
on one continuous track that spiral around the CD. This technique is different
from magnetic disks where data is stored in concentric tracks.
Uses of CD ROM: Distribution of different software products such as Windows
Distribution of audio and video data such as songs and movies
Keeping the backup of large amount of data
Storing large volume of data for use in online applications.
It is an old form of mass storage device.
Structure of Tape:- It consists of a thin ribbon of plastic. The tape is coated
with magnetic material.
Tape Drive:- Tape drive is used to read, write and rewind the tape. Tape
drives comes in different sizes.
Types of Tape Drives:There are two types of tape drive:
1. Cartridge Units
2. reel-to-reel Units
Why Magnetic Tape is slow?
Magnetic tape reads and write data sequentially so its speed is slower than
other storage devices. Because of this disadvantage tape systems are not used
for on-line data storage.
Uses of Magnetic Tape:Since magnetic tapes are very cheap as compared to magnetic disks so it is
mainly used for off-line backup storage.
How data is organized on a magnetic tape?
Magnetic tap is divided into tape into segments. Each segment is marked by a
gap when the disk is formatted. Each segment contains several tracks . These
tracks run parallel to one another lengthwise. The first eight bits are used to
save data. The last bit is used to store parity bit. This bit is used to detect any

Storage Devices Ch.#4

By: Faheem Chohan SST(IT) Govt. Abbasia HSS BWP

error in the data stored on tape. If the last bit is set to 1 or 0 so that total
number of 1s in the frame is even. This method of detecting error is called
even parity. Similarly we can define odd parity.
Tracks
Inter block gap
Frame
1
..
2
..
3
..
4
..
5
..
6
..
7
..
8
..
P
..
Movement of tape
Parity bit