External storage

External storage includes things such as backup tapes, cloud storage, and file servers. It provides storage which is outside the basic primary storage (memory) and secondary storage (such as hard disk) which all computers need.

External storage is used for several purposes:

• To backup important files. It can be used to provide off site backup - that is, files stored in a different location so that the backup is still safe even if disaster strikes, for example the office burning down or the computers all being stolen in a break-in.
• Sharing files with others in the school, office or home (for example, making music files accessible from any device in the house).
• Making files accessible from anywhere, for example files stored on Google Drive can be accessed on your phone or laptop from anywhere in the world.
• Transporting or delivering data, for example when you purchase a DVD install software, or copy files to another PV using a memory stick.

Many of the traditional uses of external storage are being replaced networks, in particular the Internet. For example, software is usually downloaded rather than purchased as a DVD, since it is cheaper and more convenient.

See also

• Primary storage
• Random access memory
• Read-only memory
• Secondary storage
• Hard disk drives (HDD)
• Solid state drives (SSD)
• Flash memory
• Optical drives
• File servers
• Network attached storage
• Tape drives
• Cloud storage