NET 4000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7.1.5: Hard Disk Drive, Device File, Flash Memory
Document Summary
In a modern linux system, there may be many different types of storage devices implemented: For decades, hard disk drives have been the primary type of long-term storage used in desktop and server systems. Hard disk drives magnetically store information using spinning aluminum disks called platters. Each platter is coated with a magnetic surface material that allows the hard disk"s read/write heads to store and retrieve information to and from the drive. The faster the disk"s platters spin, the faster data can be accessed. A hard disk drive identifies where data can be stored on its platters using several parameters that are collectively called the drive"s geometry. The following parameters are used by the storage device interface to determine how the drive is accessed and where data can be stored: Heads specifies to the number of read/write heads in the drive. Cylinders specifies the number of concentric parallel tracks on all sides of all platters in the hard disk drive.
