Trace: Storage Selection Analysis
Follow the decision process for choosing the right storage device
Exercise 1: Film Production Company
Scenario
A film production company needs to store and transport 4K video footage between filming locations. They need to move 500GB of data quickly and reliably in outdoor environments.
Requirements: High capacity, fast transfer speeds, portable, durable in outdoor conditions
Trace through the storage selection:
The company needs to store 500GB of video footage.
Which storage types can handle 500GB or more?
Fast transfer speeds are needed for large video files.
From our shortlist (HDD, SSD, USB), which has the fastest transfer speed?
The storage will be used in outdoor filming environments with potential bumps and vibrations.
Which storage type has NO moving parts and is most durable?
Based on our analysis, what is the best storage solution?
Exercise 2: School Archive System
Scenario
A school needs to create a long-term archive of student records and historical documents. They have 50TB of data to store for at least 25 years. Cost is a major factor, and the data is rarely accessed (maybe once per year).
Requirements: Massive capacity, long-term reliability, low cost per GB, speed not critical
Trace through the storage selection:
The school needs to store 50TB of archival data.
Which storage can practically handle 50TB of data?
Cost is a major factor for the school budget.
Which storage type has the LOWEST cost per GB for large archives?
The archive needs to last at least 25 years.
What is the typical lifespan of magnetic tape when properly stored?
The data is rarely accessed - maybe once per year.
Does the slow sequential access of magnetic tape matter for this use case?
What is the best storage solution for the school archive?
Exercise 3: Gaming PC Setup
Scenario
A gamer is building a new PC and wants fast game loading times. They have a budget for 2TB of game storage. Games need to load quickly, and they want minimal waiting during gameplay.
Requirements: Fast read/write speeds, 2TB capacity, reasonable cost, internal installation
Trace through the storage selection:
Fast loading times are the main priority for gaming.
Rank these storage types by READ speed (fastest to slowest):
The gamer needs 2TB of storage capacity.
Are 2TB NVMe SSDs available at reasonable prices?
Consider if the extra speed of NVMe is worth the cost difference.
NVMe is faster, but how much faster than SATA SSD for game loading?
What is the best storage solution for gaming?
Exercise 4: Music Distribution
Scenario
A band wants to sell physical copies of their album at concerts. Each album is about 700MB. They need cheap, portable media that fans can play in cars and home stereos. They'll distribute 1000 copies.
Requirements: Low cost per unit, universal compatibility, standard audio format
Trace through the storage selection:
Fans need to play the album in cars and home stereos.
Which format is universally compatible with CD players in cars and homes?
The album is 700MB of audio data.
What is the capacity of a standard CD?
They need 1000 copies for distribution.
Which is cheaper for 1000 copies?
What is the best distribution format?