1.3.11

Magnetic Storage

Test yourself on Magnetic Storage

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How Magnetic Storage Works

The most common type of magnetic storage is the Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

Storing a bit

Storing a bit

  • The value of each bit of data (0 or 1) is represented as a positively or negatively charged magnetic particle.
  • These particles are part of a magnetic disk called the platter.
Accessing data

Accessing data

  • Data could be stored anywhere on the disk, and so to read/write data we first need to find the location on the disk.
  • A magnetic read/write head is used to access the data while the platter spins.
Reliability

Reliability

  • The HDD has moving parts.
  • Although the HDD is generally reliable, any device with moving parts will be subject to wear-and-tear.
  • HDDs can also be damaged by shocks. They are not robust.

Properties of Magnetic Media

To compare magnetic storage with the other types of media, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of storing data magnetically.

Low cost

Low cost

  • Magnetic media is very low cost per unit capacity.
  • This makes it an economical choice for storing large amounts of data.
Low speed

Low speed

  • Magnetic media needs a high number of moving parts.
  • The high number of moving parts make magnetic media slow to access.
Good reliability

Good reliability

  • Magnetic media is reliable and tends to last for a long time.
  • Magnetic media is not robust, and tends to break on impact or during vibrations.
High capacity

High capacity

  • Magnetic media can store a large quantity of data in a compact way.
  • This makes them a popular choice for archives as well as home computers.
Jump to other topics
1

Computer Systems

1.1

Data Representation

1.1.1Binary Numbers1.1.2Negative Binary Numbers1.1.3Hexadecimal1.1.4Using Hexadecimal1.1.5Converting Binary & Hexadecimal1.1.6Converting Denary & Hexadecimal1.1.7Capacity1.1.8Calculating Capacity Requirements1.1.9Binary in Computer Systems1.1.10Data Compression1.1.11Run Length Encoding1.1.12File Formats
1.2

Data Transmission

1.2.1Packet Switching1.2.2Data Transmission1.2.3Universal Serial Bus (USB)1.2.4Parity Check1.2.5Checksum & Echo Checks1.2.6Encryption
1.3

Hardware

1.3.1Elements of Computer Systems1.3.2Types of Computer System1.3.3Von Neumann Architecture1.3.4The Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle1.3.5Factors Affecting CPU Performance1.3.6Computational Logic1.3.7Input Devices1.3.82D & 3D Scanners1.3.9Code Readers1.3.10Solid State Storage1.3.11Magnetic Storage1.3.12Examples of Magnetic Storage1.3.13Optical Storage1.3.14Examples of Optical Storage1.3.15Types of Optical disk1.3.16Storage Requirements1.3.17Translation - Compilers1.3.18Translation - Interpreters1.3.19Translation - Assemblers1.3.20Acoustic Sensors1.3.21Flow Sensors1.3.22Gas Sensors1.3.23Humidity Sensors1.3.24Infrared Sensors1.3.25Level Sensors1.3.26Light Sensors1.3.27Magnetic Field Sensors1.3.28Moisture Sensors1.3.29pH Sensors1.3.30Pressure Sensors1.3.31Proximity Sensors1.3.32Temperature Sensors1.3.33Network Hardware
1.4

Software

1.4.1Operating Systems1.4.2Interrupts1.4.3High-Level Languages1.4.4Low-Level Languages
1.5

The Internet & its Uses

1.5.1The Internet1.5.2Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)1.5.3DNS1.5.4HTML1.5.5Cookies1.5.6Web Hosting1.5.7Digital Currency
1.6

Cyber Security

1.6.1Forms of Attack1.6.2Penetration Testing1.6.3Types of Malware1.6.4How Malware Spreads1.6.5Protecting Against Malware1.6.6Information Security1.6.7Structured Query Language (SQL) Injection1.6.8Firewalls1.6.9Authentication: User Access Levels1.6.10Authentication: Passwords1.6.11Social Engineering1.6.12Phishing1.6.13Denial of Service Attacks
1.7

Automated & Emerging Technologies

1.7.1Automated Systems1.7.2Robotics1.7.3Artificial Intelligence
2

Algorithms, Programming & Logic

2.1

Algorithm Design & Problem Solving

2.1.1Computational Thinking - Abstraction2.1.2Computational Thinking - Decomposition2.1.3Computational Thinking - Algorithmic Thinking2.1.4Pseudocode2.1.5Flow Diagrams2.1.6Interpreting, Correcting & Completing Algorithm2.1.7Correcting Algorithms2.1.8Completing Algorithms2.1.9Testing2.1.10Types of Testing2.1.11Test Plans2.1.12Validation & Sanitation2.1.13Authentication & Contingencies
2.2

Programming

2.2.1Programming Fundamentals - Variables & Constants2.2.2Programming Fundamentals - Comments2.2.3Programming Fundamentals - Input & Output2.2.4Data Types2.2.5Casting2.2.6Controlling Program Flow - Sequence2.2.7Controlling Program Flow - Selection2.2.8Controlling Program Flow - Iteration2.2.9Modularity - Subroutines2.2.10Modularity - Scope2.2.11Arrays
2.3

Databases

2.3.1Structuring Data - Records2.3.2Structuring Data - Databases2.3.3SQL
2.4

Boolean Logic

2.4.1Binary Systems2.4.2Logic Circuits2.4.3Truth Tables2.4.4Evaluating Expressions2.4.5Boolean Operators2.4.6End of Topic Test - Logic

Practice questions on Magnetic Storage

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of the following are true of Hard Disk Drives?True / false
  2. 2
    Why are Hard Disk Drives subject to wear-and-tear?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Why might a company choose to use magnetic media to make backups of large files?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Why might a company choose to use a different type of storage device if they need to have fast access to their data in the future?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    How would you describe a magnetic storage device's cost in relation to other storage devices?Multiple choice
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Solid State Storage

Examples of Magnetic Storage