
Chapter 1 RAID Introduction
1.1 What is RAID?
It is inevitable that a single hard disk, either with SCSI or IDE interface, will suffer the compatibility
problem between the motor rotational speed and the transfer interface. As a result, an Ultra160 SCSI or
ATA100 IDE hard disk can only achieve the transfer rate of up to 30MB/Sec at the bandwidth of
100MHz.
In addition, the life span of a hard disk is limited. Once a hard disk is damaged, it is likely to lead to the
system crash and data loss. Above mentioned are two severe problems in network system architecture.
These factors have encouraged the creation of RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive / Independent
Disks), a technology that combines multiple inexpensive and independent hard disks into an array of
harddisks so as to increase data transfer performance and storage effi ciency.
RAID implements the mechanisms such as Striping or Mirroring plus Parity Checking, to combine two
or more physical hard disks into one virtual/logical disk array that allows On-line, quick access, huge
capacity and fault tolerance. If one of the hard disks in the array is damaged, the system continues to
operate using the remaining working hard disks, resulting in no system crash or data loss. In summary,
RAID technology increases the performance and data security in network system architecture.
1.2 RAID Functions
Expanding storage capacity
Increasing data transfer speed
Saving cost
Inherent Fault Tolerance
Hot Swap
Auto-Rebuild
Hot Spare
On-line Capacity Expansion
1.3 RAID Levels and Comparisons
With the development of RAID technologies, users now have more options for RAID levels. Some
vendors even have proprietary names for RAID levels. Generally, RAID levels include RAID 0, 1, 3, 5, 6,
0+1, 10, 30, 50, 60 and JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks).
The following is a comparison of some commonly used RAID levels.
RAID Level
Basic Operation
Method
Hard Disk Available
Capacity
Data Reliability Data Transfer Speed
Minimum Number
of Hard Disks
0
Striping data across
each drive
Total capacity of all
the hard disks
Low Highest 2
1 Mirroring
Half of total capacity
of all the hard disks
High Lower 2
0+1
Mirroring data to
another drive and
stripping across the
drive
Half of total capacity
of all the hard disks
Very High High 4
10 RAID Introduction
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