Secondary storage

Definition

Secondary storage refers to non-volatile storage devices that retain data even when the power is turned off. Unlike primary storage, which is fast but temporary, secondary storage provides a larger capacity for data retention and is essential for long-term data management in computing systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secondary storage includes various types of devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, and optical discs.
2. It plays a critical role in the memory hierarchy by providing a balance between capacity and speed, as it typically has slower access times compared to primary storage.
3. Data stored in secondary storage can remain intact for years, making it ideal for backups, archives, and applications that require large amounts of data.
4. Due to its non-volatile nature, secondary storage is crucial for maintaining system stability and data persistence across power cycles.
5. When considering locality of reference, systems often utilize caching strategies to minimize access times for frequently used data stored on secondary devices.

Review Questions

• How does secondary storage complement primary storage in the memory hierarchy of a computing system?
  • Secondary storage complements primary storage by providing a larger capacity for data retention while being non-volatile. While primary storage is fast and temporary, used for actively running processes and applications, secondary storage allows for long-term data management and archiving. The two work together in the memory hierarchy to optimize both speed and capacity, ensuring efficient data access.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using solid-state drives (SSDs) versus hard disk drives (HDDs) as forms of secondary storage.
  • SSDs offer faster read and write speeds than HDDs because they have no moving parts, making them ideal for tasks requiring quick access to data. However, SSDs are generally more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs, which provide larger storage capacities at a lower cost. This makes HDDs a more economical option for bulk storage needs despite their slower performance.
• Evaluate the impact of secondary storage on system performance in relation to locality of reference and overall computing efficiency.
  • Secondary storage significantly impacts system performance by influencing how quickly data can be accessed when needed. Locality of reference suggests that programs tend to access a limited set of memory locations frequently. This means that caching techniques can be employed to keep this frequently accessed data in faster primary storage, reducing the need to fetch it from slower secondary devices. Efficient management of secondary storage thus contributes to improved overall computing efficiency by minimizing latency and optimizing the use of available resources.

Related terms

Primary Storage: The memory used to store data that is actively being worked on, such as RAM, which is fast but temporary.

Storage Devices: Physical devices used to store digital data, including hard drives, SSDs, and optical discs.

Data Retrieval: The process of accessing and retrieving stored data from a storage device.