Implementing Mass Storage

Week 9 · Module 9: Implementing Mass Storage · Download .docx

Objectives

Distinguish MBR and GPT partition tables and their limits
Explain NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT file systems and their use cases
Initialize, partition, and format drives in Windows
Describe TRIM and why SSDs should not be defragmented

Key terms

GPT: GUID Partition Table — 128 partitions, drives over 2 TB, required for UEFI boot.
NTFS: Windows default file system — supports permissions, journaling, and large files.
exFAT: Cross-platform removable media file system — no file size cap.
TRIM: OS command informing the SSD which freed blocks can be pre-erased.
Disk clone: Sector-by-sector drive copy written directly to a destination drive.

The concept

Before a drive stores data it needs a partition table (MBR or GPT) and a file system (NTFS, exFAT, FAT32). MBR is limited to 2 TB and 4 primary partitions — adequate for legacy but not for modern large drives. GPT supports up to 9.4 ZB and 128 partitions — required for UEFI booting and Windows 11. NTFS is the Windows OS drive standard: journaling recovers from power loss, permissions enforce security. exFAT is the go-to for USB drives shared between Windows and macOS. TRIM keeps SSDs fast over time — defragmentation only wastes write cycles on flash storage.

Worked examples

Example 1: [object Object]

Common mistakes

Initializing a UEFI boot drive with MBR — Windows 11 will not boot in UEFI mode from MBR.
Using FAT32 for a large external drive — 4 GB file size limit blocks large video files.
Defragmenting an SSD — TRIM handles SSD maintenance; defrag only burns write cycles.

Self-check

Try each one before you look. A miss here costs nothing and tells you exactly what to reread.

1. Which partition table supports drives larger than 2 TB?

2. Windows OS requires which file system on the boot drive?

3. TRIM's function for an SSD is to:

4. exFAT is preferred over FAT32 for USB drives because:

5. Why should SSDs not be defragmented?

Canvas is the official record. This companion enhances the PGCC curriculum; it does not replace it. Last name and class year only. Students with a 504 plan or IEP: your accommodations apply.

↑ Back to top