Question

Computer Architecture

Theme: External Memory

(DISK) Define track, cylinder and sector. Draw the disk format of a typical Winchester disk.

Answer 1

A disk is divided into three parts tracks, cylinders, and sectors.

Track: It is the porttion of the disk which pass under a single stationary head when the disk rotates, it's a ring 1 bit wide.

Cylinder: It is the is made from the set of tracks which is described by all the heads at a single peek position. Each of te cylinder is at equal distance from the center.

Sector: Tracks are divided into segments called as sectors and it acts as the unit of storage.

Disk format of a typical Winchester disk: