Fundamentals of ICT
Ashansa Udani
Lecturer
IMBS Green Campus
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Storage Devices & Computer Ports
Storage Devices
The computer ROM does not have enough capacity to store data, whereas the RAM is volatile
and loses data once the power is turned off. Therefore, there is a necessity for devices that could
store data permanently. Previously data was stored in punch cards (a card with holes punched
representing 1s and 0s) before the invention of magnetic storage devices and then optical storage
devices. With the improvement of technology, it was possible to manufacture devices that could
store data in excess of 250 Gigabytes. The magnetic tape was one of the earliest forms of data storage
device but had a disadvantage since it had to be accessed in a sequential manner. The introduction
of hard disk and floppy disk made it possible for data to be stored and accessed randomly.
Portable magnetic storage devices like floppy disk had a very limited storage capacity, this
was changed with the invention of the ZIP disk which could store over 100 megabytes. The invention
of the optical storage disks like the CD ROM and the DVD ROM made it possible to store data on
disks which were not affected by magnetic fields, was easier to transport, and cost effective to
produce. The typical CD ROM could store around 700 megabytes whereas the DVDROM could
store in excess of 4.2 gigabytes and now with improved Blue-ray (blue laser) format storage can go
up to 100 gigabytes (GB).
These can be classified as follows;
Hard disk ^oDV ;eáh&
Magnetic Media Magnetic Tape ^pqïnl máh&
Devices Floppy Disk ^iqkuH ;eáh&
^pqïnl udOH
Wmdx.&
Secondary Memory Optical Media
^oaú;Shsl u;lh& Devices CD - Compact Disks ^ixhqla; ;eá&
^m%ldY udOH DVD - Digital Versatile Disks
Wmdx.& ^ixLHdxl nyqúO ;eá&
Blue Ray Disks ^ í¨ f¾ ;eá&
Solid State Media USB Flash Drive ^mEka Odjlhl&
devices Memory Card ^u;l ldâm;a&
^>k ;;a;ajfha
SSD drive ^>k ;;a;ajfha ;eá Odjl&
Wmdx.&
Page 1 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Magnetic Media Devices
Magnetic media devices are storage devices that utilize magnetic fields to store and retrieve data.
These devices, such as magnetic tape drives and hard disk drives (HDDs), employ a magnetic
medium, such as tapes or disks coated with a magnetic material. By applying magnetic forces, the
read/write mechanisms in these devices can write data onto the medium or read data from it by
detecting changes in the magnetic properties. Magnetic media devices are often favored for their
cost-effectiveness and high storage capacity, making them suitable for applications requiring long-
term data storage, backups, and archival purposes.
Hard Disk Drive
The Hard Disk Drive (HDD), which is commonly used to store data and information, is located inside
the computer. However, there are external hard disks as well. Today there are hard disks with large
capacity due to the development of the technology. The user can read and write the data stored in
HDD. Therefore, this medium is called Read / Write Memory. The capacity of a hard disk ranges
from 250 GB to 4 TB. The maximum capacity will increase with technological development.
Hard Disk is made of several components.
Platter
Spindle
Head
Actuator arm
Power connector
IDE Connector
Actuator
Page 2 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
1. Platter – This is a metallic, aluminum or ceramic disk and data can stored on both sides using
magnetic media. There can be several platters in a hard disk.
2. Spindle – Holds the platter and rotates it.
3. Head – Reads the magnetic data in the platter and writes on the platter. There are two heads for a
platter; one on top and one on bottom.
4. Actuator arm – Moves the head. Enables reading and writing data anywhere in the platter.
5. Power connector – Connects the Hard Disk to power which is needed for its function.
6. IDE connector – Transmits data to the platter
7. Actuator – An electronic device which moves the arm connected to it. This is operated by a motor.
Figure 4.1.1 1 Hard Disk is made of several components
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in magnetic tape for specific use cases. While
it may no longer be the mainstream choice for everyday consumers, magnetic tape continues to find
relevance in certain professional settings. For instance, in the field of data archiving and long-term
storage, magnetic tape offers advantages in terms of cost per gigabyte and long-term data retention.
Its durability and resistance to physical degradation make it suitable for storing large volumes of data
that need to be preserved for extended periods. Additionally, magnetic tape's offline nature provides
an added layer of security, protecting against cyber threats and unauthorized access. This has led to
its continued utilization in industries such as media and entertainment, finance, and scientific
research, where the need for reliable and cost-effective data storage remains high. Although the
magnetic tape may no longer dominate the mainstream market, its specialized capabilities ensure its
relevance and endurance in specific professional contexts.
Page 3 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Magnetic Tape
Magnetic tape is a type of storage medium that consists of a thin strip or ribbon coated with a
magnetic material, typically iron oxide. It is used for recording and storing data in a linear fashion.
Information is stored on the tape in the form of magnetic patterns, which can be read and written by
a tape drive.
Magnetic tape is known for its high capacity and relatively low cost compared to other storage
technologies. It has been used for decades in various applications, such as data backup, archival
storage, and offline data transfer. However, with the advent of more advanced storage technologies
like hard drives and solid-state drives, magnetic tape has become less commonly used in consumer
applications and is now primarily used in enterprise-level backup and archival systems.
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a magnetic media device that can be used to store small files. It contains a capacity
of 1.44 MB. It is used to carry data because it is an external storage device. But is becoming obsolete.
At present, there are disks which are produced by using the same technology used to produce the
floppy disks such as zip disks and jazz disks. The capacity of these disks is greater than that of the
floppy disks. But they are not used often.
Page 4 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Optical Media Devices
Since data stored digitally on a disk is read and written by laser beam, it is called optical media.
Optical media is commonly used to carry data and information and there are several types. The
followings are some of them.
CD - Compact Disks
A CD, short for Compact Disc, is a type of optical storage medium used to store and play back digital
audio, video, and data. It is a small, flat, round disc typically measuring 12 centimeters (4.75 inches)
in diameter.
CDs use a technology called "optical disc storage" to store information. The disc is made up of a
reflective layer sandwiched between two layers of clear plastic. The reflective layer contains
microscopic pits and lands that represent the encoded data. When a CD is played or read, a laser
beam is directed onto the disc's surface, and the reflection of the laser light is interpreted by a laser
pickup mechanism.
Page 5 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
DVD - Digital Versatile Disks
A DVD, short for Digital Versatile Disc, is a type of optical storage medium used for storing and
playing back digital audio, video, and data. It is similar in appearance to a CD but has a higher storage
capacity and supports higher-quality video and audio formats.
DVDs use the same optical disc storage technology as CDs, but they can store significantly more
data. A standard single-layer DVD can hold up to 4.7 gigabytes (GB) of data, while a dual-layer
DVD can store up to 8.5 GB. The increased capacity allows for the storage of longer movies,
higher-resolution video, and more complex multimedia content.
Page 6 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Blue Ray Disks
Blu-ray is an optical storage medium that offers higher storage capacity than DVDs and CDs. It uses
a blue-violet laser to read and write data on the disc, allowing for greater storage density. Blu-ray
discs are primarily used for high-definition video content, offering superior image quality and
enhanced audio formats. They can store up to 25 GB or 50 GB of data on single-layer or dual-layer
discs, respectively. While online streaming has reduced their popularity, Blu-ray remains favored by
enthusiasts and industries that value high-quality physical media.
Page 7 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Solid State Media devices
Solid state media devices are a type of device which write and read data electronically at a high
speed. As they do not have moving parts as in hard disks and compact disks to write and read data,
they are known as solid state media devices.
Solid state Drive (SSD drive)
An SSD is a special storage device for computers that helps them run faster. It's like a super-fast and
reliable memory box. Instead of using spinning parts like older storage devices, an SSD uses special
memory chips to store information. These chips are like small containers that hold all your important
files and data. When you want to open a file or use a program, the computer can quickly find and
retrieve the information from the SSD. It's like finding your favorite toy right away from a well-
Page 8 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
organized box. The SSD is also very durable and doesn't make any noise. It's like having a speedy
and silent helper inside your computer.
USB Flash Drive
A USB flash drive, often referred to as a thumb drive or a pen drive, is a portable storage device used
for storing and transferring data. It is a small, compact device that connects to a computer or other
compatible devices via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. USB flash drives utilize flash memory
technology, allowing them to retain data even when not powered. They provide a convenient and
portable solution for quickly transferring files, backing up data, and carrying personal documents or
media files.
Memory Cards
This has the same function of USB flash drive. However, the method of connecting to the computer
is different and it is smaller in physical size. This is used in digital cameras, mobile phones and
computer gaming devices.
E.g. - SD Card (Secure Digital Card)
Page 9 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Computer Ports
The interfaces which connect computer with its devices or with other computers are called ports.
Ports are positioned in the front or back of the computer. There are symbols to identify posts. All the
ports are connected to the motherboard.
Types of Computer Ports
Page 10 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
PS/2 Port
Used to connect the keyboard and the mouse to the computer system. The purple port is for the
keyboard and the green port is for the mouse. However, USB port is mostly used today to connect
the keyboard and the mouse to the computer system.
Parallel Port
Used to connect the printer to the computer system. This consists of 25 holes. However, USB port is
mostly used today to connect printers to computer systems.
Page 11 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Vidéo port - VGA (Vidéo Graphics Adapter)
This is also called the Graphic Port. This connects the monitor, or multimedia projector
to the computer system. The port consists of 15 holes.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI Port)
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) port is a type of connector that allows you to connect your computer
or other devices to a monitor or display. It sends digital video signals from your device to the monitor,
ensuring high-quality visuals. It is like a plug that lets you connect your computer to a screen so you
can see pictures, videos, and other things on a bigger display.
Page 12 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
HDMI (High - Definition Multimedia Interface) port
This port can be seen specially in laptops. It connects the monitor, multimedia
projector, digital TVs, and digital speakers to the computer.
When HDMI cables are connected to a computer, a television screen or multi media
projector, both sound and video signals are transmitted. When a VGA is used for the
same purpose, only images are transmitted and a separate cable is required for sound.
RJ 45 Port
This port connects computer of a computer network to the network router, network
switch.
Page 13 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
Audio Ports/ Jacks
Light Pink – Audio OUT ( To connect Speakers, Head set)
Light Green – Mic IN ( To connect Microphone)
Light Blue – Line IN ( To connect External audio input devices)
This port connects audio media like microphones, speakers and head phones to the
computer system.
Serial port
This port connects devices such as modem to the computer. Today, USB port is used
instead of the serial port.
Page 14 of 16
Module 03 Computer Hardware Engineering
USB - Universal Serial Bus Port
This port is used to connect many types of input and output devices to the computer.
Ex:-
printer
keyboard
mouse
scanner
disk
external hard
external DVD drive
digital camera
web camera
bar code reader
memory card
pen drive
Page 15 of 16
