Networking and Operating Systems

IT Fundamentals, Section 3.5: Storage – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces and explains storage devices and file systems. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Compare and contrast the features of different external storage devices, including hard disk drives, optical drives, flash storage, and solid state drives.
  • Describe common file system features, including compression, encryption, permissions, journaling, and file naming rules.
  • Compare and contrast common file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32, HFS, and Ext4.
  • Describe disk partitioning and formatting methods.
  • Describe disk maintenance procedures, including defragmentation, repair, and cleanup.
  • Describe emerging storage technologies.
  • Install SATA hard drives in a computer.
    • Connect drives to the motherboard.
    • Plug in the power connector from the power supply.
  • Install an eSATA port connector to a computer by connecting the cable to an available motherboard port.
  • Boot a computer into the BIOS and verify that newly installed hard drives are detected.
  • Initialize new disks using the MBR partition style.
  • Create a volume on a disk with a specific volume size, drive letter, file system, and volume label.
  • Format a flash drive with the FAT32 file system.
  • Convert a drive to use NTFS instead of FAT32 without destroying any existing data on the disk.
  • Run Disk Cleanup on a local hard drive.
  • Configure disk defragmentation to run on a schedule.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
  • Optical Drive
  • Flash Storage
  • Solid State Devices (SSD)
  • External Hard Disk Drives
  • Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording
  • 3D Flash Memory
  • Synthesized DNA Strands
  • File
  • File Format
  • File System
  • Compression
  • Encryption
  • File Permissions
  • Journaling
  • Drive
  • Partitioning
  • Fragmentation
  • Defragmentation

Topics Discussed:

  • How is storage different than memory? How are they similar?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of each storage medium?
  • How does storage relate to input, output, and processing?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 3.5: Storage, and complete the 3.5.5, 3.5.12, 3.5.14 and 3.5.16 Lab Activities, as well as the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: February 5th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 6th, 2024
AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1