Computer storage devices and storage media are key parts of a business computer system which give you a place to save files.
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.
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:
Floppy disks – long the most common portable storage media - have been superseded by memory cards and memory sticks.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.
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