| Remember that no matter what system you use, | | | | system, commonly referred to as CDs and DVDs, is |
| backed up data must be stored on a data storage | | | | similarly preferred because of its ease of use and |
| medium somewhere. Here are the most common | | | | cost efficiency. The biggest advantage is that data |
| types of storage media. | | | | can be saved and restored on practically any machine |
| Magnetic tape has been one of the most popular | | | | with a standard CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. |
| methods of bulk data storage over the years. The | | | | HD-DVDs and Blu-ray backup disks are similar |
| primary differences between tape and hard disk are | | | | mediums. |
| that tape is a sequential access medium. Access | | | | A more modern trend would be solid state storage |
| times may not seem as fast as hard drives but | | | | or a flash memory disk backup system. These include |
| continuous writing or reading can actually be much | | | | all types of flash memory such as USB drives, thumb |
| faster than the typical hard drive. Floppy disks are | | | | drives, CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick and |
| quickly becoming obsolete but are still used for | | | | others. High cost is the biggest disadvantage though |
| emergency situations on some home computers. | | | | they remain portable and easy to use. Finally there is |
| The hard disk is the preferred storage medium of | | | | the option of remote backup service, which is very |
| today. The advantages in using hard disks are in low | | | | convenient but also much slower since it relies on the |
| access times, constant availability, renewable capacity | | | | Internet. Security may also be an issue. |
| and convenience in use. The optical disk backup | | | | |