Storage devices and media

Use of Backing Storage at Kings College

• Fixed hard discs- Used in every computer in the school
• Portable hard discs- Used to store large files
• Magnetic tape- Uses serial access for reading and writing.  Used for backups of file servers for computer networks. Optical backing storage media such as CDs and DVD and is quite cheap for backing up files at King's.
• Optical backing storage media such as CDs and DVD-CDs tend to be used for large files (but smaller than 1Gb) which are too big for a floppy disc to hold such as music and general animation.  DVDs are used to hold very large files (several Gb) such as films at school.
• CD ROM/DVD ROM-Applications which require the prevention of deletion of data, accidental or otherwise for students.
• CD R/DVD- Applications which require a single burning of data, e.g. CDs Z recording of music downloads from the internet, recording of music from MP3 format, recording of data for archiving or backup purposes at King's.
• CD RW/DVD RW-Applications which require the updating of information and ability to record over old data at King's.
• DVD RAM- Same properties as DVD RW but quicker access and data can be overwritten more easily. 
• Blu-ray-Capacities of 25Gb, 50Gb and 100 Gb.  Used for storing films (movies). 25Gb equates to 2 hrs HDTV, 13hrs standard definition TV
• Solid state backing storage-Smallest form of memory, used as removable storage at school.  More robust than other forms of storage. 
• Memory sticks/Pen drive-Used at Kings to transport small files conveniently.
• Flash memory cards-Used in digital cameras, palmtops, mobile phones, MP3 players at Kings