Meridian Data 1 manual Technology Background, Introduction to RAID

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Chapter 5: Technology Background

This chapter covers the following topics:

Introduction to RAID (below)

Choosing a RAID Level

Choosing a Stripe Size

Choosing a Sector Size

Cache Policy

LUN Affinity

Capacity Coercion

Initialization

Hot Spare Drives

Partition and Format the Logical Drive

RAID Level Migration

Media Patrol

Predictive Data Migration

Transition

Introduction to RAID

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) allows multiple hard drives to be combined together in a disk array. Then all or a portion of the disk array is formed into a logical drive. The operating system sees the logical drive as a single storage device, and treats it as such. The RAID software and/or controller handle all of the individual drives on its own. The benefits of a RAID can include:

Higher data transfer rates for increased server performance

Increased overall storage capacity for a single drive designation (such as, C, D, E, etc.)

Data redundancy/fault tolerance for ensuring continuous system operation in the event of a hard drive failure

Different types of disk arrays use different organizational models and have varying benefits. The following outline breaks down the properties for each type of RAID disk array:

SECURSTOR ASTRA ES

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Meridian Data 1 manual Technology Background, Introduction to RAID