★ I am often asked what RAID means, how to set it up and how it benefits the user. Here is my explanation on what it all means. From complex to simple. What Is RAID? Known as: "Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks" or RAID; is a storage technology that combines multiple disk drive components into a logical unit. Data is distributed across the drives in one of several ways called "RAID levels", depending on what level of redundancy and performance (via parallel communication) is required. Most common forms of a RAID array are RAID 0, 1, 5 and rarely used is RAID array 6. RAID O - Disk Striping (process of dividing a body of data into blocks and spreading the data blocks across several partitions on several hard disks). Pros: ★ Option to use a minimum of 2 - 32 HDD's. ★ Multiple drives work as one disk/maximize disk space. IE (4 x 250GB) = 1000GB/1TB solid. ★ Better read/write ability = faster performance. Cons: ★ One hard disk fails, all fail. ★ Keep backups ★ Bits of data stored and not all data itself ★ No redundancy drive or safety RAID 1 - Disk Mirroring (data is written to two duplicate disks simultaneously. This way if one of the disk drives fails, the system can instantly switch to the other disk without any loss of data or service). Pros: ★ Dual copy from 1 hard disk to another. ★ If one drive fails, data is still usable as there is a copy. ★ Faster performance. ★ Able to replace hard disk and rebuild the mirror. Cons: ★ Data storage space does not increase. IE. (2 x 250GB) = 250GB usable & 1 mirrored copy. RAID 5 - Disk Striping w/Parity Pros: ★ At least 3 hard disks needed - 32 hard disks max. ★ Bits written to each drive with 3rd (redundancy drive) having copy of 1. ★ If one fails, others will hold rest of the data / data still usable. ★ Replacing drive will re-construct the array. ★ Faster performance. ★ Increases space partially. ★ Hot swappable. Cons: ★ Only first two disks space increases, 3rd and onwards are redundant drives. RAID 6 - Disk Striping w/Parity Pros: ★ Duplication of RAID 5 with added drive for redundancy. Cons: ★ Gets expensive with adding another drive. Creating RAID Array:
Hardrive RAID: Pros: ★ Hard disk controller/PCI - Express card ★ All hard disks connected to that controller ★ Boot up to similar BIOS Screen to configure drives into preferred array ★ Can stall an operating system on the hard disk array ★ Fast/performance boost Con: ★ Expensive Software RAID: Pros: ★ Must have an operating system available to create the array ★ Good for storing data as redundancy ★ Installing windows server operating system or similar to config a raid of 0-5 etc ★ Less expensive Cons: ★ If the hardisk with the operating system dies, entire PC fails ★ Software raid can slow PC down as it will and/or can use RAM Size vs. Volume In RAID: In RAID 5: Any size hard disk can be used, from 80-1500 +. Drive only bigger than the smaller drives volume; Why? data gets striped over drives according to allocated space configured or preset. Smallest drive is the largest size to use in an array in regards to the other drives. Size & Volume Of Array: Size of an array - refers to total amount of hard disk space allocated for the hard disk array. IE (4 x 250GB) hard disks = 1000GB/1TB. Volume of an array - refers to the amount of usable space IE RAID 1 (mirror) (2 x 250GB) = 250GB volume. IE RAID 5 (4 x 250GB) = 750GB, IE RAID 0 doesn’t apply with volume. That concludes the tutorial. I hope this helps. Any queries feel free to contact me via the contact form right at the top next to the YouTube tab or alternatively you can simple comment on the post below.
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