Storage devices and media

Computer storage devices and storage media are key parts of a business computer system which give you a place to save files.

Hard drives: the most common computer storage devices

Hard drives (also called hard disk drives or HDDs) are very common computer storage devices. They store data to a magnetic disk and are fitted to computers as standard.

Hard drives are reliable computer storage devices, can hold large amounts of data and allow files to be accessed quickly. They’re essential for the day-to-day storage of frequently-accessed files.

The smallest hard drives hold around 80GB (gigabytes) of data and cost less than £30. That’s enough to store lots of documents, but could quickly fill up with videos. A larger hard drive – say 320GB - should cost under £100. Think about what you need to store when compiling a list of requirements for your hard drive.

If your business has a server, this will be fitted with a large, fast hard drive so you can store files centrally. Network server hard drives should be specifically designed to cope with the load from several users.

External hard drives are also available. These plug into your computer and work just like an internal hard drive, except they are portable. Because this kind of external storage can be moved easily, it is wise to take additional security precautions, like keeping external hard drives locked away when not in use.

Another type of hard disk storage has emerged in recent years. Called network attached storage (NAS), it allows you to connect a hard drive directly to your computer network, so you can store files centrally without investing in a server.

Computer storage devices for backup

It’s important to keep backups of data in case you suffer hard disk failure or some other problem. You can create backups with a number of computer storage devices:

• A RAID system. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) replicates data across several hard drives so you can keep working if one fails. A RAID system costs more than an ordinary hard drive, but ensures minimal disruption if a problem occurs.
• Recordable DVDs hold about five gigabytes of information each. A recordable DVD drive should be under £50 and the disks are £1 or less each. You may have to swap disks daily and keep them somewhere safe, but this is a cost-effective way to copy important data.
• Online storage copies your files to a secure server across the internet. It has become practical as internet speeds have increased and is convenient (it’s often fully automatic). However, it does mean entrusting your business data to another company.
• Tape drives use magnetic tape to store large amounts of data. They are effective but can be expensive (£600+) and are usually used in bigger networks (20+ computers). Many companies use them to archive material and store it in a secure location.

Portable storage media

Floppy disks – long the most common portable storage media - have been superseded by memory cards and memory sticks. These fit easily into your pocket and make it simple to transport data from one location to another.

A typical memory stick costs less than £20 and can hold at least 1GB of data. That’s enough for thousands of documents. Accessing the data is as easy as plugging it into a computer. As memory sticks are easy to lose, it can be wise to take basic IT security precautions, like password protecting them.

CDs and DVDs are the other common types of portable storage media. They offer few advantages over memory sticks when transferring data, but are a good way to archive files you need to keep.