RAID Overview
September 17th, 2007
What is RAID?
RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. It is a method of combining several hard disk drives into one unit. This method offers fault tolerance (the ability of a system to continue to perform functions even when one or more hard disk drives have failed) and higher protection against data loss than a single hard drive.
Need for RAID?
RAID provides real-time data recovery when a hard drive fails, increasing system uptime and network availability while protecting against loss of data. Another advantage of the system is that multiple disks working together increase overall system performance. Any individual or company could benefit from having a RAID RECOVERY system in place.
Different Levels of RAID
There are several different levels of RAID available. Each level offers various advantages in terms of data availability, cost and performance. Your best bet is to assess your needs in order to determine which level works best for you.
The most popular RAID systems are the following:
RAID 0 - Data striping (no data protection)
The benefit of this system is that it offers the highest performance.
RAID 1- Disk Mirroring (provides data protection by duplicating all data from a primary drive on a secondary drive).
The benefit of this system is it offers the highest data protection.
RAID 0/1- This combines both Raids 0 and 1.
The benefit here is highest performance + highest data protection.
RAID 5 - Data striping with distributed parity (a form of data protection that recreates the data of failed drive in a disk array).
This system offers the best cost performance for multidrive environments. Having a RAID system installed can provide peace of mind. With RAID installed you can rest assured that even in the event of a system failure your important data will be safe.
See also:
- Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9320421AS - Hard drive - 320 GB - internal - 2.5" - SATA-300 - 7200 rpm - buffer: 16 MB (Electronics) newly tagged "hard drive" (January 6th, 2009)
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 - Hard drive - 160 GB - internal - 3.5" - ATA-100 - 7200 rpm - buffer: 8 MB (Electronics) newly tagged "hard drive" (January 6th, 2009)
- Western Digital WDML5000TN 500GB My Passport Elite 2MB Cache 2.5-Inch USB 2.0 Hard Disk Drive (Titanium) (Electronics) newly tagged "hard drive" (January 6th, 2009)
- Esata 3GBPS External Cable 6FT (Electronics) newly tagged "hard drive" (January 6th, 2009)
- WESTERN DIGITAL 120GB SATA Notebook Hard Drive (WD1200BEVS) (Electronics) newly tagged "hard drive" (January 6th, 2009)
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