Types of storages. Distributed storage. RAID.

A storage area network (SAN) is a virtual storage device created by connecting different types of storage devices, over a high-speed network. A SAN centralizes storage so that any server connected to the SAN has access to its entire storage capacity.

A technology called RAID (redundant arrays of inexpensive disks) uses a large number of relatively small hard disks to create what appears to be a single storage device. RAID reduces the time required to read or write data because the computer can simultaneously read or write to each of the disks in the RAID array. RAID storage also takes significantly less room that conventional large disks.

Hardware for data output. Softcopy. Examples.

1) Softcopy

2) Hardcopy

3) Robotic

Softcopy - Output on an unmovable medium, such as a computer screen.

Ex: Display units, Projectors, Speakers

Display or screen - Provides graphical visual output. Each dot, or pixel on the display corresponds to a location in the computer’s primary memory or in the memory on the video adapter – a circuit board inside the computer that supports the display.

Projectors - Allow computer images to be displayed to an entire room. Projectors can be compared on the basis of their brightness, contrast, resolution, and sharpness.

Speaker - A sound controller, also called a sound card, produces an electrical signal that drives one or more speakers. This signal can produce music, special effects, such as the sound of a passing rain or the sound of a voice.