Storage Layer: Data Storage Hierarchy and Disk Management

This lecture covers the storage layer in data-intensive applications and systems, focusing on the storage hierarchy, disk management, and the use of flash storage. It explains the main memory, disk, and tape storage, as well as the implications of storing data on disks. The instructor discusses the reasons for not storing all data in main memory, highlighting the costs and volatility of main memory. Additionally, the lecture explores the evolution of flash storage, its applications in databases, and its role as a storage accelerator. The anatomy of a disk, disk blocks, and disk performance optimization are also explained.