Hardware Raid
Hardware RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a data storage technology that enhances performance, reliability, and fault tolerance by combining multiple physical disk drives into a single logical unit. Unlike software RAID, which relies on the CPU and operating system to manage the RAID array, hardware RAID offloads this task to a dedicated RAID controller or RAID card. This controller has its own processor and memory, allowing it to independently manage the RAID configuration without burdening the host system's resources. By handling RAID operations internally, hardware RAID typically offers superior performance and efficiency compared to software-based solutions. When utilizing hardware RAID, the operating system will perceive the array as a single cohesive drive.
The automated installation options default to hardware RAID; therefore, if you prefer software RAID, manual configuration is required.
Software Raid
Software RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining multiple physical hard drives into a single logical unit for data storage, with the aim of improving performance, reliability, or both. Unlike hardware RAID, which relies on dedicated hardware such as RAID controllers, software RAID utilizes the processing power of the host system's CPU to manage the RAID arrays.
In a software RAID configuration, the operating system or specialized software controls the data striping, mirroring, or parity calculations necessary for RAID functionality. This means that the RAID setup is more flexible and can often be implemented without additional hardware costs, making it an attractive option for many users.
One of the key advantages of software RAID is its platform independence. It can be implemented on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS, without relying on specific hardware compatibility. However, since software RAID relies on the host system's resources, performance may be affected by the system's CPU and memory availability, especially under heavy loads.
When implementing software RAID, it's advisable to refrain from utilizing a hardware RAID card to avoid conflicts and optimize system performance. Some hardware RAID cards offer the flexibility to be reconfigured through the console to function as an HBA (Host Bus Adapter) instead.
Raid Configurations
Raid 0
RAID 0, often referred to as striping, is a RAID configuration that distributes data evenly across multiple disks without redundancy. In RAID 0, data is divided into blocks and written to different disks simultaneously, which can improve performance by allowing multiple drives to work together in parallel. However, since there is no redundancy, if one drive fails, all data in the RAID 0 array is typically lost. RAID 0 is commonly used in scenarios where performance is prioritized over data protection, such as in high-performance computing or media editing environments, where speed is crucial but data loss risk is acceptable. This configuration necessitates a minimum of 2 drives.
Raid 1
RAID 1, also known as mirroring, is a RAID configuration that duplicates data across multiple drives simultaneously. In a RAID 1 setup, data written to one disk is automatically copied (mirrored) to another disk, creating an identical backup. This redundancy ensures that if one disk fails, the data remains intact on the other disk, thereby enhancing data reliability and fault tolerance. This configuration necessitates a minimum of 2 drives.
Raid 5
RAID 5 is a RAID configuration that combines striping with parity data distributed across multiple disks. In RAID 5, data is striped across multiple drives like in RAID 0, but parity information is also distributed across the disks. This allows for data redundancy and fault tolerance, as the parity information can be used to reconstruct lost data in case of a single drive failure. RAID 5 requires a minimum of three disks to operate, and it offers a balance between performance, storage capacity, and data protection. However, RAID 5 performance may be impacted during the rebuilding process after a drive failure.
Raid 10
RAID 10, also known as RAID 1+0, combines the mirroring of RAID 1 with the striping of RAID 0 to offer both data redundancy and performance improvements. In RAID 10, data is mirrored across multiple disk pairs, and then the mirrored sets are striped together. This provides the benefits of both RAID 1's fault tolerance, where data is duplicated for redundancy, and RAID 0's performance enhancement through striping. RAID 10 requires a minimum of four drives and offers high levels of fault tolerance, allowing for multiple drive failures in different disk pairs without losing data. While RAID 10 offers excellent performance and redundancy, it requires more disk space compared to other RAID configurations due to mirroring, making it a preferred choice for applications where both performance and data protection are critical, such as database servers and high-demand enterprise environments.
