Chapter 7: Technology Background

RAID 10 – Mirror + Stripe

Mirroring/striping combines both of the previous RAID 1 and RAID 0 disk array types. RAID 10 is similar though not identical to RAID 0+1. RAID 10 can increase performance by reading and writing data in parallel while protecting data with duplication. At least four drives are needed for RAID 10 to be installed. With four disk drives, the drive pairs are striped together with one pair mirroring the first pair. The data capacity is similar to a RAID 1 disk array, with half of the total storage capacity used for redundancy. An added plus for using RAID 10 is that, in many situations, such a disk array offers double fault tolerance. Double fault tolerance may allow your logical drive to continue to operate depending on which two disk drives fail.

Data Stripe

Data

Mirror

Disk Drives

Figure 4. RAID 10 takes a data mirror on one drive pair and stripes it over two drive pairs

RAID 10 arrays require an even number of physical drives and a minimum of four.

For RAID 10 characteristics with an odd number of disk drives, use RAID 1E.

Recommended applications: Imaging Applications, Database Servers, General Fileservers.

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Promise Technology m310p, m210p, VTrak external disk array subsystem manual RAID 10 Mirror + Stripe

m210p, VTrak external disk array subsystem, m310p specifications

Promise Technology has established itself as a strong player in the storage solutions market, particularly with its VTrak series of storage systems. Among the notable products in this lineup are the VTrak M310P and M210P models, designed to deliver efficiency, scalability, and high performance for businesses of all sizes.

The Promise VTrak M310P is a high-performance storage solution that emphasizes speed and versatility. This model supports both SAS and SATA drives, enabling enterprises to tailor their storage needs based on workload requirements. It is built with an advanced RAID engine that provides multiple RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, ensuring data redundancy and protection against drive failures. The M310P can accommodate up to 96TB of raw storage when fully populated, catering to environments that require large amounts of data retention and quick access times.

Key features of the VTrak M310P include the intuitive management interface, which simplifies storage provisioning and monitoring. This model also incorporates Promise's innovative "HyperRAID" technology, which enhances performance by optimizing I/O operations and providing real-time analytics and reporting. Additionally, the M310P supports a variety of host connection interfaces, including iSCSI, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand, allowing seamless integration into existing infrastructure.

On the other hand, the VTrak M210P is tailored for a slightly different audience, focusing on small to medium-sized businesses that require reliable and cost-effective storage solutions. The M210P retains several high-end features found in its bigger counterpart while offering a more budget-friendly option. This model also supports a mix of SAS and SATA drives and includes RAID capabilities similar to the M310P for data protection.

The M210P provides a robust set of management tools designed for ease of use, including automated alerts and comprehensive reporting capabilities. Its compact design and reliable performance make it ideal for remote office locations or data centers where space is a premium. Furthermore, the model incorporates advanced power management features to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance.

Both the M310P and M210P are built with scalability in mind, allowing businesses to easily expand their storage capacity as data needs grow. With a focus on durability, performance, and advanced technology, Promise Technology’s VTrak systems are well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of modern data storage. Whether for large enterprises or smaller organizations, these products offer solutions that enhance productivity and ensure data integrity.