CHAPTER 9
MAGNETIC TAPE STORAGE
INTRODUCTION
Computers use three types of storage devices to store and access data. These
are main memory storage, secondary memory storage, and tertiary storage. Main
memory is the memory in the computer itself. It can be semiconductor RAM,
magnetic core memory, or thin film memory. Secondary memory storage is
memory used to store data that is not immediately required by the computer. The
most common secondary memory is some type of magnetic disk. Tertiary memory
storage is used to store large amounts of data that are not required by the computer
on a regular basis. Magnetic tape can be used as secondary storage, but it is
generally used as a tertiary storage media.
After completing this chapter you will be able to:
Describe the physical properties of magnetic tape
Describe the proper procedures for handling, storing, and packaging
magnetic tape
Describe magnetic tape failures due to normal wear and tear, accidental
damage, environmental damage, and winding errors
Describe the function and operation of the magnetic tape read, write,
and erase heads
Describe the different methods of encoding data on magnetic tape
State the purpose of the major functional areas of a magnetic tape unit
Describe the operations performed by a magnetic tape unit
Describe the operation of a magnetic tape transport
Magnetic tape units may be categorized by the form of media they are designed
to use: open-reel, cartridge, and cassette. The standard tape units use open reels.
Cartridge or cassette units use cartridge tapes and cassette tapes, respectively.
The units most commonly used in the Navy are industry standard open-reel
tape units and cartridge tape units.
TOPIC 1—MAGNETIC TAPE
Magnetic tape can be used to store large amounts
Magnetic tape is one form of magnetic storage
of data in a variety of convenient package sizes (reels,
media. It consists of a thin film of magnetic oxide
cartridges, or cassettes)
material bonded to a polyester-based strip. Magnetic
Magnetic tapes are easily interchangeable
tape offers several useful features:
between similar units of different systems
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