ACCESS CSYS Assignment 3 Storage


Outcome 5 describe different levels of storage
Outcome 6 described characteristics and selected appropriate methods for a given application

Tasks

a)  In your role as a company technician, you are requested to produce a glossary of terms to assist non-technical staff understand and learn technical terms.

The terms relating to storage that require explanation must include:

Cache - WORMS - CD ROMs - Tracks - Sectors - File Allocation Table - RAM - ROM - BIOS - Cylinders - Buffer - Hard disk - File Compression - Tape Streamer – Diskettes – Streamers - DAT - ZIP.

In your explanation give examples of media storage types; relative access speed and sizes;  security aspects of using/handling each type of storage.

b)  What storage system would be most suited for each of the following:

i) Account archiving (bearing in mind that the law requires accounts to be retained for a number of years in an unalterable format).
ii) Print queues
iii) System backup
iv) Payroll
v) Initial “boot-up” of a computer.


c)  From a recent computer magazine select a powerful computer system. From it’s specification explain;

i) the amount of fitted RAM and what it is used for.
ii) the size of the hard disk, its purpose and the benefits of any cache (if the specification does not mention cache then explain the level and benefits of it of a HD with cache fitted).
iii) why we have a variety of RAM eg. VRAM, EDO RAM etc. (giving examples from the spec)
iv) the terms referring to the CD ROM and what it is used for, and could any of the companies files be saved on this device?


d)  I currently have a computer on which I need to upgrade the RAM.  From magazines identify the type of RAM I need to buy, possible combinations of modules available and relative  cost per megabyte.

The assignment should be completed and the final report submitted by Wednesday 26th January 2000.

Objectives achieved by this assignmentOn completion of the assignment the student should:1 have described the need for different levels of storage (eg. Primary, secondary, main, backing, cache level)2 have described the characteristics (speed, capacity, media used, costs etc.) of modern storage methods (eg. magnetic disk and tape, CD-ROM, optical), and select appropriate methods for a given business application.


Outcomes 5 and 6
Author:  CJ Duley Date of issue:  Week commencing  17/1/2000
Assignment checked by: Date to be handed in:  26/1/2000
 Feedback:  9/2/2000

Grading Criteria
 
Name:  Grade:
Storage Media
Obj  Fail  Satisfactory  Merit Distinction
a  Required terms not included in the glossary, sizes, security and safe handling not explained  All terms explained in glossary . Security, sizes and safe handling explained. Good explanations given for terms, sizes, speed of access, security and safe handling. Full descriptions for all terms, new and future storage media covered.   Good explanations for typical sizes, speed of access security and safe handling.  Evidence of research by including up-to-date and future media. 
b Unsuitable systems suggested for 5 scenarios Suitable systems suggested for 5 requested scenarios Suitable suggestions and clear reasoning for using recommended media for each of the 5 scenarios Detailed suggestions and recommendations given for each scenario
c  Lacking or unclear descriptions of storage media included on specification. Correct explanations for four specified storage media Clear and correct explanations given for the four given storage media.  Authoritative, clear and correct explanations given for the four given storage media.
d Lack or unclear descriptions of RAM modules required and costs per megabyte.  Correct explanations of suitable RAM and cost Clear and fully explained range of RAM options and typical costs. Authoritative, clear and correctly explained range of RAM options and typical cost
 Top of Page
Home Page
Query for Tutor?