Here we have 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) focused on Fundamentals of Data storage technologies (magnetic, solid-state, optical etc), along with answers and explanations.
1. Which storage technology uses magnetization to store data?
- Solid-state
- Magnetic
- Optical
- Flash
Magnetic storage technology, such as hard disk drives (HDDs), uses magnetization to store data.
2. What is the primary advantage of solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs)?
- Higher capacity
- Faster data access
- Lower cost
- Greater durability
SSDs offer faster data access times compared to HDDs due to the absence of moving parts.
3. Which storage technology uses laser light to read and write data on discs?
- Solid-state
- Magnetic
- Optical
- Flash
Optical storage technology, such as CDs and DVDs, uses laser light to read and write data on discs.
4. What is the most common type of optical disc used for data storage?
- CD (Compact Disc)
- DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)
- Blu-ray Disc
- LaserDisc
DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) are commonly used for data storage.
5. Which storage technology is known for its non-volatile memory and high-speed data access?
- Magnetic
- Solid-state
- Optical
- Tape
Solid-state storage is known for non-volatile memory and high-speed data access.
6. Which data storage technology is often used for long-term archival storage due to its high capacity and low cost per gigabyte?
- Magnetic tape
- Optical disc
- Solid-state drive (SSD)
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
Magnetic tape is commonly used for long-term archival storage due to its high capacity and cost-effectiveness.
7. What is the primary disadvantage of optical storage compared to magnetic and solid-state storage?
- Slower data access
- Lower capacity
- Fragility
- Higher cost
Optical storage tends to have slower data access times compared to magnetic and solid-state storage.
8. Which storage technology uses NAND flash memory cells to store data?
- Magnetic
- Solid-state
- Optical
- Tape
Solid-state storage uses NAND flash memory cells to store data.
9. Which storage technology is commonly used in modern smartphones and tablets?
- Hard disk drives (HDDs)
- Optical discs
- Magnetic tape
- Solid-state drives (SSDs)
Modern smartphones and tablets commonly use solid-state drives (SSDs) for storage.
10. What is the main advantage of magnetic tape for data storage?
- High-speed data access
- Low cost per gigabyte
- Durability
- Non-volatile memory
Magnetic tape offers a low cost per gigabyte, making it suitable for large-scale data storage.
11. Which storage technology is most vulnerable to physical shocks and drops?
- Magnetic
- Solid-state
- Optical
- Tape
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are more vulnerable to physical shocks and drops compared to other storage technologies.
12. What is the primary advantage of optical discs for archival storage?
- High data transfer rates
- Reusability
- Long-term data preservation
- Compact size
Optical discs are known for their long-term data preservation capabilities.
13. Which storage technology offers the fastest data transfer rates among the options listed?
- Magnetic
- Solid-state
- Optical
- Tape
Solid-state drives (SSDs) generally offer the fastest data transfer rates among the listed options.
14. Which storage technology is often used for backup and disaster recovery purposes due to its portability and durability?
- Magnetic tape
- Optical disc
- Solid-state drive (SSD)
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
Magnetic tape is often used for backup and disaster recovery due to its portability and durability.
15. What is the primary disadvantage of magnetic tape for data storage?
- High cost per gigabyte
- Slow data access
- Fragility
- Limited capacity
Magnetic tape tends to have slower data access times compared to other storage technologies.
16. Which storage technology is known for its resistance to magnetic interference and ability to store data for extended periods?
- Solid-state
- Magnetic
- Optical
- Flash
Solid-state storage is resistant to magnetic interference and can store data for extended periods.
17. What is the primary advantage of hard disk drives (HDDs) over solid-state drives (SSDs)?
- Faster data access
- Lower cost per gigabyte
- Greater durability
- Non-volatile memory
HDDs often offer a lower cost per gigabyte compared to SSDs.
18. Which storage technology is characterized by its rotating platters and read/write heads?
- Magnetic tape
- Optical disc
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
- Solid-state drive (SSD)
Hard disk drives (HDDs) use
19. What is the primary advantage of solid-state drives (SSDs) over hard disk drives (HDDs)?
- Higher capacity
- Lower cost
- Faster data access
- Longer lifespan
SSDs offer faster data access times compared to HDDs.
20. Which storage technology is most commonly used in cloud-based data centers for its speed and reliability?
- Magnetic tape
- Optical disc
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
- Solid-state drive (SSD)
SSDs are commonly used in cloud-based data centers for their speed and reliability.
21. What is the primary advantage of optical discs for data storage in terms of portability?
- Small physical size
- Light weight
- Compatibility with most devices
- Low power consumption
Optical discs are lightweight and portable.
22. Which storage technology is often used for cold storage of data due to its low power consumption and long-term data retention capabilities?
- Solid-state drive (SSD)
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
- Magnetic tape
- Optical disc
Magnetic tape is often used for cold storage due to its low power consumption and long-term data retention.
23. Which storage technology uses electrically erasable and programmable memory cells?
- Magnetic
- Solid-state
- Optical
- Tape
Solid-state storage uses electrically erasable and programmable memory cells (NAND flash).
24. What is the primary advantage of hard disk drives (HDDs) over solid-state drives (SSDs) in terms of cost?
- Lower cost per gigabyte
- Longer lifespan
- Lower power consumption
- Faster data access
HDDs often have a lower cost per gigabyte compared to SSDs.
25. Which storage technology is commonly used for high-speed data transfer and caching in modern computer systems?
- Magnetic tape
- Optical disc
- Solid-state drive (SSD)
- Hard disk drive (HDD)
SSDs are commonly used for high-speed data transfer and caching in modern computer systems.