What is the hard disk architecture in operating systems?
Hard disks are secondary storage devices we can use to store data. Most modern computers use hard disks to store large amounts of data.
The architecture of a hard disk consists of several physical components that include:
- Platters
- Spindle
- Read/write heads
- Tracks
- Sectors
Platters
Hard disks are organized as a concentric stack of disks. An individual disk is referred to as a platter.
Each platter consists of two surfaces: a lower and an upper surface.
Spindle
The platters within the hard disk are connected by a spindle that runs through the middle of the platters.
The spindle moves in a unidirectional manner along its axis (either clockwise or counterclockwise).
The movement of the spindle causes the platters to rotate as well.
Read/write head
Each surface on a platter contains a read/write head that is used to read or write data onto the disk.
The read/write heads can move back and forth along the surface of a platter. Read/write heads are in turn connected to a single actuator arm.
Tracks
Each surface of a platter consists of a fixed number of tracks. These are circular areas on the surface of a platter that decrease in circumference as we move towards the center of the platter.
Data is first written to the outermost track.
Sectors
Each track is divided into a fixed number of sectors. Sectors divide track sections and store data.
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