Research Paper on Computer Data Storage

Introduction

Information retention acts as one of the most fundamental components of computers. It implements the basic computer model which consists of data storage devices serving as core functions of the computer. The media data cache of the computer usually consists of physical memory. The media data cache is constantly processed for each program and data. After the information is processed, the processor stores them in the physical memory. However, the physical memory data is temporary because the data stored will not continue to flow through the power. The reason for this is because the computer is still active.

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Random Access Memory is usually composed of a set of chips. The chips act as an accommodation for data processing or instruction of programs. Furthermore, program instructions also enable the processed data to be sent to output devices, secondary storage and communication devices. The contents of RAM are distinguished according to the type of data processed in it. For instance, the functions of the system data are basically controlled by the operating system temporarily due to the reusable and usable volatile products of RAM. Because Ram is temporary and volatile, when the power is disconnected from the computer or when switching off the computer, all its content and information will be lost.

The term secondary storage refers to the storage media that is used to create a permanent nature of data. Its durability and non-volatile nature allow the data or programs to be stored and exist even if the power is turned off. Some of the examples of secondary storage include magnetic tape, hard drives, magnetic disks and an optical storage disk. Another important factor of how data can be processed efficiently is capacity. Usually, it determines how large and complex programs are stored as a result of the processed data. The bit is the common terminology used when referring to capacity. For instance, it consists of a binary numbering system which determines how well a program can work. Furthermore, it is specified regarding bytes or group of bytes in which all instructions are stored in the RAM representing the data, instruction and earlier program.

Computer Data Storage Software

Application Storage

Application-aware storage is a built-in intelligence system containing relevant application and their patterns of utilization. The patterns usually enable usage conditions to optimize data layouts, caching behaviors as well as the improvement of quality levels about their service. The achievement of this kind of goal at times might be challenging due to various reasons such as limited running of the application code. However, through the inclusion of significant integration, the operating system, host bus adapter and the applications can be able to coordinate.

Storage administrators can be better-utilized commodity disks for applications of low-priority. In turn, this process allows the optimal possible performance of application-aware storage thus enhancing capacity and reliability for mission-critical applications. It also plays a profound role in increasing the performance intensive tasks for the storage such as backing up the information and disaster recovery among others. Current storage arrays are usually deployed by various means such as OpenStack tools or software through the hypervisor. These may include tools such as Nutanix's Xtreme Computing Platform.

Cloud Storage

Data can be remotely maintained through services such as cloud storage. This kind of service plays an important role in managing and backing up the data to allow users to use a network like an internet. Furthermore, files can be stored online and also users can be able to access them from any location through the internet. Usually, the uploaded files are kept on the external server by the provider. Many companies have benefitted from this service, and as a result, they have managed to perform their tasks with ease and convenience.

Some of the common features of cloud storage options include the addition of data storage, synchronization of folders as well as drag and drop access. Also, various documents can be combined with others for effective data storage. The storage options may vary accordingly each with their storage capabilities. Popular cloud storage options include Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Outlook Drive. Cloud storage can act as an emergency backup plan especially when accessing files in any location. For instance, businesses and organizations can benefit from this service by reducing annual operation costs. However, due to its limitations such as having no internet connection can cause some of the files to be deleted or moved from the original folder.

Object-Based Storage

The object-based storage devices are composed of disk drives which assist in network storage. It is termed as the next generation of disk drives due to its ability to contain both the disk and a processor as well as RAM and a network interface. In turn, the network interface plays a profound role in assisting the devices to manage local object store, and also autonomously serving and storing data from the network. Furthermore, the devices can be directly addressed in parallel form. This process usually does not allow any intervention from the RAID controller, thus allowing the aggregated data to be extremely high regarding throughput rates.

The four major functions of the data storage architecture existing within the Object-based storage device include data storage, intelligent layout, metadata management and security. Data storage serves as an important function in storing and retrieving data from physical media. Usually, the data is managed in the form of laid out standard tracks and sectors. On the other hand, intelligent layout mainly uses memory and the processor to optimize data. In most cases, it pre-fetches the data from the hard disk to provide additional information regarding layout decisions by the data. Metadata management tends to focus on managing the data on the file server or hosting the operating system. Finally, security is usually accompanied by the object protocol to secure the SAN and NAS network storage system.

Fig: A Prefetching Scheme Exploiting both Data Layout and Access History on Disk

Software-Defined Storage

The need for rapid reconfiguration remains to be one of the biggest challenges for companies like Google and Facebook. Through the use of white-labeled hardware and in-house technical expertise, these companies have managed to deal with the challenges of massive scale regarding the deployment of infrastructure. These challenges may include scalability, agility, and cost of implementation procedures. Monolithic mainframe systems have managed to adopt the computer infrastructure, thus enabling the running of the majority of applications to various commodities such as x86-based hardware. Furthermore, the management and control of scale-out virtualized resources are also made possible by the integrated control panel.

Some of the characteristics of software-defined storage include commodity hardware, scale-out architecture, resource pooling, abstraction, automation, and programmability. Commodity hardware ensures that all the intelligence in software-defined storage is contained within the layer of the software. On the other hand, scale-out architecture is the hardware in which the system allows rather than prevent fluid, flexible and elastic configuration of storage resources. Furthermore, resource pooling allows the available storage resources to be pooled in the form of entity which is unified logically. In turn, the resources are managed on a central basis. Abstraction allows the virtualization and presentation of physical storage resources to the control panel. Extensive automation is provided by the storage layer thus delivering a policy-based storage provision. Also, programmability consists of inbuilt automation that offers visibility and control of fine-grained underlying resources.

Solid-State Storage

This is a particular method of data storage which tends to focus on using integrated circuit devices. This process is done to store data rather than moving magnetic or optical media. Solid-state storage usually takes various forms due to its non-volatile nature. These specific forms include solid-state drive, solid-state card or module. This kind of data storage device is commonly used in non-moving flash memory technology. The main difference between this device and a USB flash drive is the quality of NAND used. Moreover, the controller and the interface involved such as the ones existing in blade serves an external storage system, also contribute to the differences.

Conclusion

Different storage devices based on different various natural phenomena have been invented to allow more convenient storage of data. In turn, within the computer system, each has its unique role to play. These storage devices include application storage, cloud storage, object-based storage, software-defined storage and solid-state storage. The central processing unit, being the most important part of a computer, is responsible for a data operation, performing calculations and controlling the various components. It usually contains memory where fixed operations are performed as well as showing the result of the output. More versatile computers are also able to reconfigure new programs with new in-memory instructions. The operating instructions and data usually differ from different machines due to a sudden change of behavior during reconfiguration of such devices. Also, memory types that are organized in a storage hierarchy act as a trade-off that exists between the level of performance and cost.

Works Cited

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Prahlad, Anand, et al. "Data transfer techniques within data storage devices, such as network attached storage performing data migration." U.S. Patent Application No. 14/963,954.