Computer Hardware
RAID
Definition
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a data storage technology that combines multiple physical disk drives into a single logical unit for the purposes of data redundancy, performance improvement, or both.
Why It Matters
RAID is crucial for data reliability and performance in servers and workstations. It can protect against data loss if a drive fails, and can also speed up read/write operations.
Contextual Example
RAID 1 (mirroring) writes identical data to two drives, so if one fails, the data is safe on the other. RAID 0 (striping) splits data across two drives, nearly doubling the performance but offering no redundancy.
Common Misunderstandings
- There are many different RAID levels (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10), each with different trade-offs.
- RAID is not a backup. It protects against hardware failure, but not against accidental deletion, viruses, or file corruption.