GCSE Data Storage (14-16 years)
- An editable PowerPoint lesson presentation
- Editable revision handouts
- A glossary which covers the key terminologies of the module
- Topic mindmaps for visualising the key concepts
- Printable flashcards to help students engage active recall and confidence-based repetition
- A quiz with accompanying answer key to test knowledge and understanding of the module
A-Level Data Storage (16-18 years)
- An editable PowerPoint lesson presentation
- Editable revision handouts
- A glossary which covers the key terminologies of the module
- Topic mindmaps for visualising the key concepts
- Printable flashcards to help students engage active recall and confidence-based repetition
- A quiz with accompanying answer key to test knowledge and understanding of the module
Data storage capacity refers to how much data can be saved in a storage device. Different storage devices have different capacities. Some have small data capacity while others have huge data capacity.
Data Storage
In layman’s terms, storage is a place where you put things for safekeeping or for future use. In technical terms, data storage refers to a device where data is saved. It is connected to the computer through an input/output (I/O) process. It allows a computer to hold data, either temporarily or permanently. Data is saved either in electromagnetic or optical form. The data saved can be retrieved by using a computer.
Types of Storage
There are two options for data backup: Local and Remote Storage Options. Under the Local Storage Option are the following types of storage:
- External Hard Drive – is like a hard drive installed in a computer the only difference is that this hard drive can be plugged and removed from the computer.
- Solid State Drive (SSD) – looks like a hard drive but inside it has no moving parts.
- Network Attached Storage (NAS) – is one or more regular IDE or SATA hard drives connected to a network hub.
- USB Thumb Drive or Flash Drive – is like an SSD but smaller in size and capacity.
- Optical Drive (CD / DVD) – ideal for storing media and software for distribution.
Under the Remote Storage Option, there’s only one type of storage which is Cloud Storage. It’s a storage space that can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.
Data Storage Evolution
Over the years, data storage has evolved and progressed. Below is a chronological list of data storage evolution:
| Year | Data Storage |
|---|---|
| 1745 | Punch Cards |
| 1950 | Magnetic Tape |
| 1962 | Cassette Tape |
| 1963 | Removable Hard Drive |
| 1966 | Punched Tape |
| 1971 | Floppy Disk |
| 1982 | CD-ROM |
| 1990 | CD-RW |
| 1994 | Zip Drive |
| 1995 | DVD-R |
| 1999 | SD Card |
| 2000 | USB Flash Drive |
| 2007 | Cloud |
Data Storage Capacity Measurement
Data storage capacity is measured in bits (b) and bytes (B). One bit is equivalent to one single binary value which is either 1 or 0. One byte is equivalent to 8 bits. One kilobyte (KB) is equivalent to 1,024 bytes. One megabyte (MB) is equivalent to 1,024 KB. One gigabyte (GB) is equivalent to 1,024 MB. One terabyte (TB) is equivalent to 1,024 GB. One petabyte (PB) is equivalent to 1,024 TB. One exabyte (EB) is equivalent to 1,024 PB.
Data Storage Capacity Examples and Illustration
An example of a small data capacity storage device is a floppy disk that can hold 1.44 MB of data. Though 1.44 MB of data seems small compared to millions and millions of data, 1.44 MB is still equivalent to more than a million characters. An example of huge data capacity storage device is a hard drive that can hold 1 TB of data.
To easily picture out how much data is stored, here’s an illustration:
| Number of Bytes | Object |
|---|---|
| 1 byte (B) | A single letter or number |
| 100 kilobytes (KB) | A low-resolution picture |
| 1 megabyte (MB) | A short paperback |
| 1 gigabyte (GB) | A pickup truck full of books |
| 1 terabyte (TB) | 50,000 trees worth of printed paper |
| 1 petabyte (PB) | 3 years’ worth of NASA’s Earth Observing System data |
| 5 exabytes (EB) | All words were spoken by men |
Latest on Data Storage
The holographic data storage is currently being developed. It has the potential to store 1 TB of data in a 1 cm hologram. It is also known as 3-D data storage.
Although there’s none using Zettabyte and Yottabyte currently, these are possible storage capacities in the future. One zettabyte (ZB) is equivalent to 1,024 EB. One yottabyte (YB) is equivalent to 1,024 ZB.
Further Readings:
