Data Storage - Hard Drives

Data storage systems are devices capable of storing data. The term usually refers to mass storage devices, such as hard drives, tape drives, floppy drives, removable cartridge hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD-ROM drives.

The hard drive in a computer is also called the hard disk, hard disk drive or fixed disk drive. Most computers have one hard drive located inside the computer case.  If a computer has one hard drive, it is usually called drive C.  If a computer has additional hard drives, they are called drives D, E, F, etc.  The amount of information a hard drive can store is measured in bytes. 

Tape drives - A tape drive is a device that copies files from a computer onto tape cartridges. Tape Drives also called tape backup units, copy files from a computer onto tape cartridges. Tape drive data storage systems can be inside the computer case or connected to the computer by a cable.  External tape drives are generally more expensive, but can be used with more than one computer.  Tape drive stores information on tape cartridges.  These cartridges are similar to the cassettes you buy at music stores.  Most people use tape drives to make backup copies of files stored on a computer.  This provides extra copies in case the original files are stolen or damaged due to viruses or computer failure.

Floppy drives store and retrieve information from floppy disks.  Today, most floppy drives are for 3.5-inch floppy disks.

Removable cartridges are data storage systems encased in a metal or plastic cartridge, so they can be removed just like floppy disks. Removable cartridges are very fast, though usually not as fast as fixed hard disks.  Common types include the Iomega Jaz and Zip drives.

CD-ROM drives read information stored on compact discs.  CD-ROM discs are the same type of disc you buy at a music store.  A single CD-ROM disc can store more than 600 MB of data.

The DVD specification supports disks with capacities of from 4.7GB to 17GB and access rates of 600KBps to 1.3 MBps. One of the best features of DVD drives is that they are backward compatible with CD-ROMs. This means that DVD players can play CD-ROMs, CD-I disks, and video CDs, as well as new DVD-ROMs. Newer DVD data storage systems can also read CD-R disks.

Important specifications to consider when searching for data storage systems include capacity and transfer rate.  Capacity is the amount of space available to store data.  Transfer rate is the speed at which bits of data are sent. For example, this could describe the rate at which the bits of information are read from the disk and sent to the drive's controller (internal rate), or characterize data exchange between the controller and PC's CPU (external rate).  Dimensions of width, length, and height are also important to consider.  Common interfaces for data storage devices include Fibre Channel, IEEE 1394, IDE, SCSI, and USB.  Choices for mounting include chassis mount, free standing, integrally mounted, panel mount, and rack mount.  An important environmental parameter to consider when searching for data storage devices includes the operating temperature.

Hard Drives Specifications

Device Type    Device Type:           Your choices are...               Hard Drive        Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) describes a hard disk controller circuitry.  The hard drive in a computer is also called the hard disk, hard disk drive or fixed disk drive. Most computers have one hard drive located inside the computer case.  If a computer has one hard drive, it is usually called drive C.  If a computer has additional hard drives, they are called drives D, E, F, etc.  The amount of information a hard drive can store is measured in bytes.      Removable Cartridge Hard Disk Drive        Removable cartridges are hard disks encased in a metal or plastic cartridge, so they can be removed just like a floppy disk. Removable cartridges are very fast, though usually not as fast as fixed hard disks.  Common types include the Iomega Jaz and Zip drives.      Other        Other unlisted storage device type.      Search Logic:      All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. Device Specifications    Capacity:        The amount of space available to store data.      Search Logic:      All matching products will have a value greater than or equal to the specified value.    Transfer Rate:        The speed at which bits of data are sent. For example, this could describe the rate at which the bits of information are read from the disk and sent to the drive's controller (internal rate), or characterize data exchange between the controller and PC's CPU (external rate).      Search Logic:      All matching products will have a value greater than or equal to the specified value.    Width:        The width of the drive.      Search Logic:      User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.    Length:        The length of the drive.      Search Logic:      User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.    Height:        The height of the drive.      Search Logic:      User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria. Interface    Interface:           Your choices are...               Fibre Channel        An interface that allows up to 2 Gigabit per second data transfer and maps several common transport protocols including IP and SCSI, allowing it to merge high-speed I/O and network functionality in a single connectivity technology.      FireWireŽ (IEEE 1394)        FireWireŽ is a cross-platform implementation of the high-speed serial data bus -- defined by IEEE Standard 1394 -- that can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices. It features simplified cabling, hot swapping, and transfer speeds of up to 400 megabits per second. FireWire speeds up the movement of multimedia data and large files and enables the connection of digital consumer products -- including digital camcorders, digital videotapes, digital videodisks, set-top boxes, and music systems -- directly to a personal computer.      IDE        Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) describes a hard disk controller circuitry.  These types of interfaces may also be referred to as ATA and UDMA.      SCSI        SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is a parallel interface standard used by Apple Macintosh computers, PCs, and many UNIX systems for attaching peripheral devices to computers.      USB        Universal Serial Bus. The standard serial bus for low-to-medium speed peripheral device connections to Personal Computers, including keyboards, mice, modems, printers, joysticks, audio functions, monitor controls, etc.      Other        Unlisted, specialized, or proprietary configuration.      Search Logic:      All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. Mounting Options    Mounting Options:      Manufacturers use many of these terms interchangeably. Keeping this in mind, we have delineated the options as follows to help you locate the ideal item(s) for your needs.    Your choices are...               Chassis Mount        The device is designed to be attached to, or within, the supporting frame of a structure (chassis), exclusive of the body or housing. Some chassis varieties are designed to be mounted within a rack.      Free Standing        The device does not need to be mounted. It can stand on its own.      Integrally Mounted        The component is soldered, hard-wired, or otherwise permanently attached as part of a system.      Panel Mount        The device can be placed into, or through, a depression within an existing panel so that it's face is flush, or nearly flush, with the panel.      Rack Mount        The device is designed to be mounted directly into a rack. It comes equipped with the necessary rail guides, flanges, or tabs to be mounted in this fashion. The standard 19" rack is typical of this style.      Other        Other unlisted mounting options.      Search Logic:      All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. Environment    Operating Temperature:        This is the full-required range of ambient operating temperature.      Search Logic:      User may specify either, both, or neither of the limits in a "From - To" range; when both are specified, matching products will cover entire range. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.

Which Internal Drive is The Right Choice for You: SATA or EIDE?

SATA Interface
Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives are quickly becoming the new standard in hard drive technology. Motherboard manufacturers now include SATA inputs on their boards. SATA hard drives result in less clutter and increased airflow in the computer system, because SATA cables are 400 percent narrower than EIDE cables. Some older computer system motherboards don't have SATA ports, but a PCI SATA controller card can be installed to add support for SATA drives. If you don't know whether your computer has SATA ports on the motherboard, refer to your computer or motherboard documentation or contact the motherboard manufacturer.
EIDE Interface
Enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE), also called Parallel ATA (PATA), hard drives have been the standard in the home computer industry for more than 10 years. Some newer computer system motherboards don't have EIDE ports, but a PCI EIDE controller card can be installed to add support for EIDE drives. If you don't know whether your computer has EIDE ports on the motherboard, refer to your computer or motherboard documentation or contact the motherboard manufacturer.