RAM disk

RAM disk

A disk drive simulated in memory. Also called a "virtual disk" or "emulated disk" (e-disk), selected files are copied from the hard drive to the RAM disk in order to speed up processing. Before the computer is turned off, the data must be saved to the hard drive or other permanent medium. RAM disks for personal computers perform a similar function as large servers in the enterprise that hold huge databases in memory for fast decision support (see in-memory database).

RAM disks are also used to capture data that are intentionally not saved. When the computer is turned off, the RAM disk contents are lost.

RAM Disks Vs. Disk Caches
RAM disks must be installed and configured by the user, whereas disk caches are part of the operating system. Disk caches hold chunks of disk data in memory that are frequently accessed, but they do not copy an entire file into memory for processing. See solid state drive.

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RAM disk [′ram ‚disk]

(computer science)

RAM drive

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(operating system, storage)

RAM disk - A memory-resident program which mimics a hard disk drive. It uses part of computer's RAM to store data which can be accessed as files. Unlike a real disk drive, this drive forgets all stored data when the computer is turned off.