Definition of disk shelves
Disk shelves are hardware components designed to accommodate multiple drives. They serve as an addition to servers or controllers, providing additional storage space.
Characteristics of disk shelves
- Scalability. They allow organizations to increase storage capacity without rebuilding the entire infrastructure.
- Versatility. Disk shelves can accommodate various types of drives — from traditional HDDs to modern SSDs.
- Centralization. Consolidating disk shelves makes it easier to manage data and backup operations.
Media definition
In the context of data storage, “media“ are the physical devices on which data is stored. For example, hard drives and solid-state drives.
Types of media
- HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Uses rotating discs and a movable read/write head. It is characterized by high capacity and accessibility.
- SSD (Solid State Drive). It uses flash memory, devoid of moving parts, and is characterized by high performance and fault tolerance.
- Optical drives. They consist of CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. They are usually used for multimedia playback and data distribution.
- Tape drives. A more archaic form of media, which is usually used for backup and archiving.