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Computer - Types of Data Storage
What is Data Storage?
The permanent, long-term storing of digital information is called data storage. Data is stored on different physical and virtual storage systems and media.
Data storage uses magnetic, optical, or mechanical mediums to record and maintain data/information to store, retrieve and process it. Data storage and memory are important parts of computers, but they do different things when storing and retrieving information. Computer memory stores data and instructions for the CPU to process tasks. Memory is vital for computer efficiency and comes in many forms.
How does Data Storage Work?
Generally, in modern computers, the storage devices are connected to the system directly or using a network. Users send requests to the system to access and save data on different storage devices. A method of collecting data and stored into the system plays a vital role in the data storage, accessing and processing.
Forms of Data Storage
Mainly, there are three ways to store the data −
- File Storage − This form of data storage is a hierarchical form that organizes and stores data.
- Block Storage − Block storage is another data storage form that organizes and stores data into blocks.
- Object Storage − Object storage is also known as object-based storage which is used to organise and store large amounts of unstructured data.
Types of Data Storage
Majorly data storage is categorised into two parts; described below −
1. Primary Storage (Main Memory or RAM)
Computers keep active data in primary storage. Data is lost when the machine is turned off since it is a volatile memory. Data and programmes in use are stored quickly and temporarily. RAM is volatile, losing data when the computer is turned off. A computer with greater RAM can multitask and run apps smoothly.
2. Secondary Storage (Non-volatile Storage)
Secondary storage holds long-term data. It stores data even when the machine is off, unlike primary storage. HDDs, SSDs, CDs, DVDs, and USB drives are examples.
3. Tertiary Storage
Tertiary storage medium is used for long-term backups and archiving. It's slower and less used than main and secondary storage but offers high-capacity storage for long-term data. Magnetic tape, optical discs, and specialised hard drives are tertiary storage media.
Features of Tertiary Storage
Some of the primary features of Tertiary Storage are as follows −
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Media Types | Magnetic tapes, optical discs, and archival media are used in tertiary storage systems. These inexpensive media can hold lots of data. |
| Low Access Speed | Tertiary storage accesses data slower than primary and secondary storage. To read tape data, you must physically move it. |
| High Capacity | Terabytes or petabytes are typical storage capabilities for tertiary storage systems. Long-term data retention is possible with them. |
| Archival and Backup | Archival data is held in tertiary storage for lengthy periods and accessed rarely. Additionally, it is utilised for disaster recovery data backup. |
| Reliability | Tertiary storage media can preserve data for long periods without degradation due to its durability and longevity. |
| Offline Storage | Offline or near-line tertiary storage keeps media from rotating or being instantly accessible. They are loaded or mounted as needed. |
| Cost-Effective | Tertiary storage is cost-effective for massive, infrequently accessed data. Media are cheaper than high-speed, high-capacity disc drives. |
Tertiary storage is useful in healthcare, banking, and government, where data retention laws are stringent. It offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for storing and protecting large amounts of data. However, its slower access times render it unsuitable for real-time transaction processing and database searching.