The terms data storage and servers may be completely strange for people who do not have the slightest interest about information technology. These types are certainly becoming fewer though. Today, even seven-year old kids are learning such terms and including it in their juvenile vocabulary. For those who own computers, a basic knowledge of the two is important.
In the age of the internet, these two items are perhaps the most important hardware commonly mentioned. This fact makes it necessary for any computer user, whether he has some knowledge on PCs or none, to understand the basic characteristics of data storage and servers. Otherwise, he will not be able to make some adjustments to make his internet service and data management better.
If one does not know what a data storage and a server basically means, he will certainly find it hard to make a choice in buying a computer. He will only be confused at the strange technical verbiage he will encounter when talking at a salesman or when reading a brochure on the product he wishes to buy.
The meaning of data storage is easier to comprehend though. As its name implies, it is that part of the computer where information is kept. However, the data can easily be accessed for processing, copying, or deleting. Most PCs today have two built-in data storage mechanisms; one is directly accessible by the PC and the other needs another external medium.
Some people call data storage simply as memory. However, this name may only confuse the hardware strictly devoted to keeping information from the processor caches and registers. Caches and registers have purposes different from the large-capacity data storage.
The capacity for data storage is in gigabytes. It used to be in megabytes when computers use floppy disks for external storage. That was also before, when these were used only for word processing only. Today’s PCs have the capability to do more tasks that would require greater available space for keeping information.
On the other hand, your computer can be a server at the same time if it provides you access to the internet and to other computers. However, it usually refers to a device that serves a particular network. It may even be a device that just connects your computer to the internet, such as a modem.
You can have a server that is data storage at the same time. This happens when you allow others to access your stored files. If your computer serves a network, you already have a domain. Your computer can then become the domain name system’s controller.
Vernon Young has worked as a computer engineer for many years developing new technology with major companies. He has worked directly with data storage and servers most often.
Posted under Data Storage
This post was written by Vernon Young on December 12, 2009
