Data storage units are devices that, connected to the computer, allow the storage of information (files). In general, they refer to massive storage, that is, large amounts of data.
Storage units can be external or internal to the computer and make up the so-called secondary memory of the computer.
With «storage units» we may also be referring to computing units of measurement such as byte, megabyte, gigabyte. If you want more information on this topic see: Units of storage measurement.
Also with «storage drives» we may be referring to logical drives (C:, D:, E:…). In this case see: logical storage units.
Storage drives and media
The medium or storage medium is the device where data is written or read, while the storage unit is the device that is responsible for reading or writing data.
For example, a floppy disk or a CD are carriers (storage media); as a diskette reader unit or CD reader unit, they are storage units/devices of those supports/media respectively.
In any case, sometimes the drive and the medium are part of the same device, as is the case with hard drives.
Devices: storage units in computers
* HDD.
* Floppy drive.
* Optical disc reader/writer unit (CD-ROM, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray).
* Flash memory (or memory card) reader.
* Magnetic tape drive.
* Virtual drive: technically it is not a physical device, but the computer takes them as if it were a storage unit more.
* Online or cloud storage: with the right tool, they can also be part of the computer’s drives, even assigning them a volume or logical drive.
For more information read: storage medium.
Logical storage unit (volume)
Storage devices that are attached to a computer are usually automatically associated with a volume or logical drive, usually designated by a letter followed by a colon:
A: Mostly used for the first floppy drive, currently little use.
B: Usually for the second floppy drive, little use currently.
C: Usually indicates the main hard drive of a computer.
D:, E:, F:, G: … to be assigned to optical disc drives (CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays), or memory drives (when inserting a flash drive, digital camera, etc.) etc.), even to be assigned to virtual units, to other secondary hard drives and external hard drives connected to the computer and also to devices that store information such as cell phones, tablets, e-readers that connect to the computer.
Capacities and storage units
To read about the different storage capacities of different storage devices, read the main article here: Storage capacities.
To read about storage units: byte, megabyte, kilobyte, gigabyte, read the main article here: Storage Units of Measure.
related terminology
data storage
Data transfer
data storage devices
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