Module 14 - Tertiary storage structure. Chapter 2 introduced the concept of primary, secondary, and tertiary storage. In this chapter, we discuss tertiary storage in more detail. First we describe the types of storage devices used for tertiary storage. Next, we discuss the issues that arise when an operating system uses tertiary storage. Finally, we consider some performance aspects of tertiary storage systems. | Module 14: Tertiary-Storage Structure Tertiary Storage Devices Operating System Issues Performance Issues Operating System Concepts Tertiary Storage Devices Low cost is the defining characteristic of tertiary storage. Generally, tertiary storage is built using removable media Common examples of removable media are floppy disks and CD-ROMs; other types are available. Operating System Concepts Removable Disks Floppy disk — thin flexible disk coated with magnetic material, enclosed in a protective plastic case. Most floppies hold about 1 MB; similar technology is used for removable disks that hold more than 1 GB. Removable magnetic disks can be nearly as fast as hard disks, but they are at a greater risk of damage from exposure. Operating System Concepts Removable Disks (Cont.) A magneto-optic disk records data on a rigid platter coated with magnetic material. Laser heat is used to amplify a large, weak magnetic field to record a bit. Laser light is also used to read data (Kerr effect). | Module 14: Tertiary-Storage Structure Tertiary Storage Devices Operating System Issues Performance Issues Operating System Concepts Tertiary Storage Devices Low cost is the defining characteristic of tertiary storage. Generally, tertiary storage is built using removable media Common examples of removable media are floppy disks and CD-ROMs; other types are available. Operating System Concepts Removable Disks Floppy disk — thin flexible disk coated with magnetic material, enclosed in a protective plastic case. Most floppies hold about 1 MB; similar technology is used for removable disks that hold more than 1 GB. Removable magnetic disks can be nearly as fast as hard disks, but they are at a greater risk of damage from exposure. Operating System Concepts Removable Disks (Cont.) A magneto-optic disk records data on a rigid platter coated with magnetic material. Laser heat is used to amplify a large, weak magnetic field to record a bit. Laser light is also used to read data (Kerr effect). The magneto-optic head flies much farther from the disk surface than a magnetic disk head, and the magnetic material is covered with a protective layer of plastic or glass; resistant to head crashes. Optical disks do not use magnetism; they employ special materials that are altered by laser light. Operating System Concepts WORM Disks The data on read-write disks can be modified over and over. WORM (“Write Once, Read Many Times”) disks can be written only once. Thin aluminum film sandwiched between two glass or plastic platters. To write a bit, the drive uses a laser light to burn a small hole through the aluminum; information can be destroyed by not altered. Very durable and reliable. Read Only disks, such ad CD-ROM and DVD, com from the factory with the data pre-recorded. Operating System Concepts Tapes Compared to a disk, a tape is less expensive and holds more data, but random access is much slower. Tape is an economical medium for purposes that do not require fast random access, .
