Comptia A+ Core 2 > Chapter 9: Implementing Mass Storage > Flashcards

Chapter 9: Implementing Mass Storage Flashcards

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1
Q

Functions when a computer is turned on.

A

1st computer runs a power on self-test and if successful will look for storage devices with installed OS to boot from following the boot order.

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2
Q

Boot Order

A

Boot Order, also known as the boot sequence, is the order in which a computer’s hardware components are initialized during the boot process.

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3
Q

Where is boot order configured?

A

In the system setup.

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4
Q

What is a likely reason for a computer to fail to boot?

A

Boot order changed to a non-bootable device. USB drives, Optical Drives, and SSD are all valid boot devices.

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5
Q

Patitioning

A

The act of separating portions of the storage media to desired functions such as storing the OS, acting as a swap file/swap partition, acting as a recovery partition, etc.

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6
Q

Swap File / Swap Partition

A

Allows part of the storage media to act as virtual memory in the event the RAM on a system overflows. OS will move infrequently used data to the swap partition freeing physical RAM up for active data

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7
Q

Recovery Partition

A

Will restore PC to factory settings in the event of system issues or failures

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8
Q

MBR Partititoning

A

A older form of partitioning a storage device. Master Boot Record (MRB) tells computer where to find the OS.

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9
Q

LBA (0)

A

Computer will start reading storage at this location assuming the media is first in boot order. MBR is stored here.

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10
Q

Boot loader

A

First bit of code read off of mass storage. Points to the begging of an OS partition. Points to active partition which has to be assigned.

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11
Q

MBR Partitioning Limitations

A

Max 2TB per partition. Limited to 4 partitions.

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12
Q

Primary Partitions (MBR)

A

A primary partition is a partition on a hard drive that can contain only one logical drive (or section)

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13
Q

Logical Drives (MBR)

A

These are subdivisions within an extended partition. Unlike primary partitions, logical partitions cannot be used to boot an operating system directly. They are mainly used for organizing data.

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14
Q

Extended Partitions (MBR)

A

An extended partition is a special type of primary partition that acts as a container for logical partitions. It does not hold data directly but instead holds multiple logical partitions.

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15
Q

GPT Partitioning

A

GUID partition table (GPT) - How modern mass storage makes partitions.

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16
Q

GUID

A

A GUID (Globally Unique Identifier), also known as a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier), is a 128-bit integer used to uniquely identify mass storage devices.

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17
Q

GPT Partitioning Limitations

A

Up to 128 Partitions on a drive. 18.8 million terabytes per partition

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18
Q

LBA 0 (GPT Partitioning)

A

Contains either a protective MBR or the GPT header, which is crucial for the proper functioning of the disk.

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19
Q

GPT header

A

The GPT header is responsible for identifying the disk and its partitions

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20
Q

protective MBR

A

The protective MBR serves as a safeguard against potential data loss due to outdated software that only recognizes MBR partitions

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21
Q

LBA 1 (GPT Partitioning)

A

GPT Header location. Crucial for defining the usable blocks on the disk and the number and size of the partition entries. It contains the disk GUID, records its own size and location, and the size and location of the secondary GPT header and table.

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22
Q

LBA 2

A

Secondary GPT header. copy of LBA 1 in case LBA 1 Fails

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23
Q

Can you convert a MBR drive to a GPT drive and why would you want to?

A

Yes you can convert an MBR drive to GPT, in windows we use disk management. The days of MBR are over and if you are running a system on windows 10 and beyond you must use GPT. MBR will only be found in systems running older OS.

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24
Q

Formating

A

Converting a storage device’s file format from on to another

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25
File Format
Unique to operating systems. NFTS is windows. Some overlap can occur between files systems, but its inefficient.
26
File Allocation Table
Index card and logging of position that keeps track of where stuff is on an LBA by LBA basis
27
Fat16
File allocation table 16-bit type. Two column spreadsheet. LBA values on left, on the right is the data associated with LBA value on left.
28
Formatting checks _______________?
each block for "bad spots" and prevents data from being stored there.
29
Fragmentation
When a new file replaces old, deleted files former LBA locations. This leads to a file needing to pass-over LBA segments where other data is stored leading to part of the being saved data being separated from other parts of the being saved data.
30
File Systems
Organize data for the operating system. manages how data is stored and accessed on drives.
31
What is and when would you use FAT32?
File Allocation Table 32-Bit. It is the oldest file system still in use. Used when you need high compatibility across Operating Systems and devices. Highly compatible with PCS, phones, consoles, etc. USB sticks, SD cards etc.
32
What is and when would you use NTFS?
New Technology File System. NTFS is used when working with storage devices that will be used by windows PCs primarily.
33
What is and when would you use ExFAT?
Extended FAT File System, halfway between FAT32 and NTFS. Modern replacement for FAT32. Used when you need high compatibility across Operating Systems and devices. Highly compatible with PCS, phones, consoles, etc. USB sticks, SD cards etc.
34
What is and when would you use ReFS?
Resilient File System. Designed to resist data corruption. Uses mirror and parity like RAID. Checks files automatically periodically. Fixes corrupted data. Can't boot from ReFS.
35
chkdsk
Check disk command. windows tool to check and fix file system errors
36
What is and when would you use ext4?
Standard file system for most Linux distros. uses extents (efficient block grouping) for data storage. Can be read by windows and Mac OS. Used when configuring a storage device primarily used by a Linux system
37
extent
A form or storage that uses contiguous areas of storage reserved for a file, represented as a range of block numbers. They help manage disk space more efficiently by storing only the starting block location in the inode table, reducing the amount of metadata needed to track the data blocks for large files.
38
What is and when would you use XFS?
Extended File System. Default for Red Hat Linux. Best for enterprise servers and storage due to massive file capacity. High performance for big data systems. More scalable than ext4 for large workloads.
39
What is and when would you use APFS?
Apple File System. File system for MacOS and iOS. Optimized for flash and solid-state drives with support for encryption and reliability. Used when configuring a storage device primarily used by a MacOS or iOS system`
40
Dynamic Disk
A feature unique to Microsoft. Enables unique resources for modifying partitions. In disk management click on a drive and click convert to dynamic disk.
41
Shrink (Dynamic Disk, Partitions)
Make a partition smaller
42
Expand (Dynamic Disk, Partitions)
Make a partition bigger
43
Spanned Volume and when to use.
Spanned volume is when you create a partition that utilizes more than one storage media. This should only be used in an emergency when you run out of storage on a hard drive and should be reverted once the storage issue is resolved.
44
Problem with long term spanned volume usage.
If you lose one hard drive in a spanned volume you loose all data.
45
Striped Volume (Dynamic Disk)
Two drives acting as one drive. RAID 0. Separates data between two drives allowing for faster read spreads but if one drive is lost data is lost.
46
Mirrored Volume (Dynamic Disk)
Two drives become simultaneous exact copies of one another. If one drive dies the other is an exact copy.
47
Windows recommendations on using dynamic disk.
1. keep the boot drive basic (not Dynamic) 2. Set boot drive to GPT 3. It's easy to create dynamic disks, but changing back to basic ERASES ALL the disk data.
48
How to create a Raid Array on Windows.
Boot into system setup. Navigate to storage. Change to RAID mode. open hardware array.
49
Hot spare/Swappable Drive
A drive sitting on the array that doesn't actively participate, but will jump in and rebuild the array if a drive in the array fails.
50
Hardware RAID Array
RAID Array is set up and managed by the user in system setup
51
Software RAID Array
RAID array is set up and managed by OS.
52
Encryption
Making storage devices or files unreadable when the owner is not around
53
File-Based Encryption
Software feature in the OS that lets you encrypt individual folders or files.
54
Disk-Based Encryption
Tool built into OS that lets you encrypt and entire C: drive. thumbstick, etc.
55
Encrypting File System
Windows OS. Built into NTFS system. Program used for encrypting files on Windows.
56
Encrypting a file with Encrypting File System
Right Click file > Properties > Next to Attributes "advanced" button > Encrypt contents to secure data.
57
Bitlocker
Windows OS tool for encrypting a disk. Requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
58
TPM
Trusted Platform Module. A chip on the motherboard that has a key used for disk-based encryption. Without TPM key data on the drive is inaccessible. Needs to be enabled in system setup.
59
BitLocker to Go
Windows OS tool for encrypting removable storage media. Does not require Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Will need to provide a password.
60
Error checking (HHD and SSD)
Right click a drive, properties, tools, scan. Will scan the storage media and check for dead blocks or other things causing read errors.
61
Optimization (HHD and SSD)
organize HHD and SSD so they run more efficiently.
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