Computer storage
Computer storage is the holding place for digital data in a computer system. It is one of the core functions of a computer, alongside processing, networking, and input/output. Storage allows a computer system to retain data and programs for future use, whether it's needed seconds later or years down the line.
Unlike computer memory (like RAM), which is primarily for temporary use by the CPU while it's actively processing data, computer storage is designed for long-term non-volatile retention.
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Overview and Purpose
The fundamental purpose of computer storage is data persistence. It allows the computer to:
Store the operating system and application software. Save and retrieve user-created files (documents, images, videos, etc.). Retain settings and configurations. Keep data available even when the computer is powered off. Without storage, a computer would have to reload its operating system and applications every time it was turned on and any work not actively in memory would be lost upon shutdown.
Storage vs. Memory (RAM)
It is important to distinguish between computer storage and computer memory (RAM):
- Computer Memory (RAM)
- - Purpose: Holds data and instructions that the CPU is currently using or needs quick access to.
- - Volatility: Typically volatile; data is lost when the computer is powered off.
- - Speed: Very fast access times (nanoseconds).
- - Capacity: Generally lower capacity (gigabytes) compared to storage.
- - Cost: More expensive per gigabyte than secondary storage.
- Computer Storage
- - Purpose: Retains data and programs for long-term future use.
- - Volatility: Typically non-volatile; data is retained even when the computer is powered off.
- - Speed: Slower access times (milliseconds for HDDs, microseconds for SSDs) compared to RAM.
- - Capacity: Generally much higher capacity (gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes).
- - Cost: Less expensive per gigabyte than memory.
RAM and storage work together: programs and data are loaded from storage into RAM for the CPU to process, and results can be saved back to storage.
Hierarchy of Storage
Computer storage exists in a hierarchy based on speed, capacity, and cost:
Primary Storage: This is the fastest and most expensive storage, directly accessible by the CPU. It includes CPU caches, registers, and main memory (RAM). It is typically volatile. Secondary Storage: This is non-volatile, offers larger capacity, and is slower and less expensive than primary storage. It includes HDDs, SSDs, optical drives, and flash drives. The operating system and applications are usually stored here. Tertiary Storage: This is typically used for archiving and backups. It is slower, has very high capacity, and is the least expensive. Examples include magnetic tape libraries and automated optical disc changers. It often requires human intervention. Offline Storage: Any storage medium that must be physically inserted into a drive to be accessed (e.g., USB drives, SD cards, CDs, DVDs). Networked Storage: Data stored on remote storage devices accessed over a network, such as cloud storage services.
Types of Storage Devices
Specific types of hardware devices are used for computer storage:
- Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
- Use spinning magnetic platters. Provide high capacity at a low cost per gigabyte but are slower due to mechanical parts.
- Solid-State Drives (SSDs)
- Use flash memory chips. Offer much faster access times, higher durability, and lower power consumption than HDDs, but are generally more expensive per gigabyte. NVMe SSDs are a high-performance type connected via PCIe.
- Optical Media (CD, DVD, Blu-ray)
- Use lasers to read/write data on polycarbonate discs. Used for software distribution, media, and backups. Becoming less common for primary storage.
- Magnetic Tape
- Sequential access storage, primarily used for backups and archiving large amounts of data due to its high capacity and low cost, despite slow access times.
- Flash Storage
- Non-volatile storage using flash memory. Used in USB drives, SD cards, memory cards, and embedded storage in devices.
How Storage Works
Data is stored on the physical medium (magnetic platters, flash chips, optical discs) in organized units (e.g., blocks, sectors, pages). The operating system uses a file system to organize files and directories, track where data is stored on the device, and manage access. When data is needed, the OS instructs the storage device controller to read the relevant blocks; when data is saved, the OS instructs the controller to write to available blocks.
Pulsed Media Storage Service Capability
Providing Computer storage is a core component of internet hosting services. Pulsed Media offers storage service capability by allocating and managing storage space on the hardware within their data centers for their customers.
Pulsed Media utilizes both HDDs and SSDs to provide a range of storage options:
HDD-based Storage: Primarily used for services requiring large capacity at a cost-effective price point, such as bulk storage on seedboxes. Pulsed Media employs enterprise-grade HDDs known for reliability and capacity in server environments. SSD-based Storage: Used for services or tiers where high performance is needed, such as for the operating system, applications, or demanding data access on VPS and dedicated servers. This often includes high-speed NVMe SSDs. When a user purchases a Seedbox, VPS, or dedicated server plan from Pulsed Media, they are allocated a specific amount of storage space on these drives. This space is measured in gigabytes (GB), terabytes (TB), or even potentially petabytes (PB) on large dedicated solutions.
This allocated storage allows users to:
Install and run the operating system and application software. Store their personal files, media, or application data. Host websites, databases, or other services. Manage files downloaded or uploaded via services like Torrenting. Pulsed Media manages the underlying storage infrastructure, including using configurations like RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) to improve performance and/or provide data redundancy, ensuring the reliability and availability of the storage capacity provided to customers.
See also
External links
Webopedia: Computer Storage Techopedia: Storage Device Seagate: HDD vs SSD Pulsed Media Official Website
