Magnetic Disks - Georgia Tech - HPCA: Part 4

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Magnetic disks, like hard drives, store data on platters with two surfaces, divided into tracks and sectors. The disk's capacity is determined by the number of platters, surfaces, tracks per surface, sectors per track, and bytes per sector, with precise positioning needed for the head assembly due to the close spacing of tracks.

Insights

  • Magnetic disks like hard drives store data on platters that rotate at the same speed due to a motor, with each platter having two magnetic surfaces where data bits are stored and accessed by magnetic heads.
  • The disk capacity of magnetic disks is determined by multiplying the number of platters by 2, representing various factors like surfaces, tracks per surface, sectors per track, and bytes per sector, showcasing the intricate organization and calculation methods involved in storing data on these disks.

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Recent questions

  • How are data bits stored on magnetic disks?

    Data bits are stored on magnetic disks on platters' surfaces covered in magnetic material, accessed by magnetic heads.

  • What determines the disk capacity of magnetic disks?

    The disk capacity of magnetic disks is determined by the number of platters, surfaces, tracks per surface, sectors per track, and bytes per sector.

  • What is the typical size of magnetic disks?

    Magnetic disks are typically around two and a half inches wide.

  • How are tracks organized on magnetic disks?

    Tracks on magnetic disks are organized into sectors containing data bits.

  • What is the role of the moving head assembly in magnetic disks?

    The moving head assembly in magnetic disks is responsible for precise positioning due to the close spacing of tracks.

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Summary

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Magnetic Disks: Data Storage and Organization

  • Magnetic disks, like hard drives, consist of platters attached to a spindle that rotate at the same speed due to a motor. Each platter has two surfaces covered in magnetic material where data bits are stored, accessed by magnetic heads attached to a moving head assembly.
  • Data on magnetic disks is organized into tracks, with each track divided into sectors containing data bits. The disk capacity is calculated by multiplying the number of platters by 2, representing the number of surfaces, tracks per surface, sectors per track, and bytes per sector.
  • Magnetic disks typically have a small number of platters, thousands of tracks per surface, tens to hundreds of sectors per track, and kilobyte-sized sectors. The close spacing of tracks requires precise positioning of the head assembly, with the entire disk being around two and a half inches wide.
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