RAID refers to a redundant array of independent disks. This technology can improve performance or increase redundancy for data that resides on the storage system.
There are multiple setups to take advantage of a disk array.
The experts at Secure Data Recovery, a leader in RAID data recovery services, explain the different types of RAID arrays. They also offer tips on how to configure a RAID array to meet your specific needs.
Cheat Sheet:
What Is a RAID Array?
A redundant array of independent disks (RAID) is a collection of hard drives that form one logical unit for optimized storage.
RAID boosts performance and redundancy by pooling two (or more) drives together. A RAID level is a defined way to describe the techniques used to store data in an array. Each technique offers distinct benefits to users.
How RAID Works (RAID 0 vs. RAID 1 vs. RAID 5 vs. RAID 6)
Striping (RAID 0) distributes blocks of data across disks in the array. Doing so allows drives to read and write data in parallel. As a result, striping improves performance, but does not build redundancy in the system.
Mirroring (RAID 1) duplicates data across paired disks. This technique protects data in the event of hard drive failure. However, the added overhead comes at the expense of reduced performance.
Parity (RAID 5 and RAID 6) saves error-checking data for a specific disk on other drives in the array. The method helps prevent data loss by enabling RAID rebuilds when a device fails. It provides redundancy at a fraction of the storage capacity required by mirroring.
The following table compares the techniques and fault tolerance of various RAID levels.
The size of a RAID depends on the needs of the person or enterprise. A home user can harness the benefits of RAID with a two-disk array. On the other hand, some arrays can contain hundreds of hard drives.
Selecting the right RAID level is crucial to optimizing your storage for its workload.
Many small businesses need efficient storage and reliable access to critical files. A NAS volume is a common choice for a file server.
Why RAID 5 Fits NAS
RAID 5 provides higher performance through block-level striping and improved fault tolerance via distributed parity. Each disk stores different blocks of data and parity info for other drives in the array. This design improves performance by saving and loading data in parallel. You can even rebuild the RAID with the stored parity info if a device fails. In addition, it conserves storage space for businesses on a budget.
This combination is often ideal for an office NAS because it handles lots of read requests and moderate write operations well. It also fulfills the need for basic fault tolerance without sacrificing too much storage capacity.
Other Options
RAID 6 is an option for companies that want to prioritize redundancy. The extra set of parity info means the array can withstand two hardware failures without losing data. RAID 10 is the best choice if performance is paramount. However, RAID 10 requires a larger storage budget due to its mirroring.
Videographers frequently deal with a large number of project files. Doing so requires high speeds and data loss protection.
What RAID 10 Offers Videographers
RAID 10 is the best choice for visual media pros who need high performance while working with important data. The level combines the mirroring technique of RAID 1 with the striping method of RAID 0. As seen in the diagram, RAID 10 distributes data across pairs of mirrored disks. Video editors and graphic designers benefit from the level’s write performance for large files. Its added fault tolerance is crucial for priceless data, such as wedding photos or milestone videos.
Other Options
RAID 5 represents a fair option if cost is a major factor. Choosing RAID 6 for more redundancy is another alternative.
Tip: Using cloud storage to archive old projects can help conserve disk space on the disk array.
Small businesses and home users want backups to safeguard against sudden data loss from hard drive failure.
Why RAID 1 Works for Home Use
RAID 1 is the simplest option for those who want a straightforward backup of critical data. This diagram shows how RAID 1 stores data on a disk and mirrors it to a paired drive. The approach is painless from a user perspective. However, RAID 1 offers no performance benefits and incurs higher overhead because half its disk space is devoted to copies of the same data.
Other Options
RAID 5 suits companies or people who manage large amounts of data and want an efficient array. RAID 6 is an alternative with even greater redundancy.
Tip: RAID does not create resilient backups on its own You should still follow the best practices for backups, such as the 3-2-1 Rule.
More people are becoming intrigued by the idea of building a media server to stream a library of high-definition movies and shows.
Why RAID 6 Shines for Streaming
RAID 6 is typically a great choice for arrays that feature more than four disks. While RAID 6 performs worse when writing data than other levels, it better handles read-heavy tasks, such as streaming. It also excels with larger hard drives for users looking to maximize storage space with fairly simple maintenance. Dual parity means that the array stores two sets of redundancy data across its members. Therefore, this setup can tolerate two drive failures before losing data.
Other Options
RAID 10 is the preferred choice for media servers that will frequently save new video to the disks. However, the performance gains from striping data come at a higher overhead due to RAID 10’s mirroring.
Gamers are always looking to improve system performance and reduce load times.
What RAID 0 Does for Performance
RAID 0 with a pair of solid-state drives (SSDs) provides the maximum performance. The diagram above illustrates how it achieves quicker load times and lower latencies. RAID 0 divides data across multiple drives, enabling the system to retrieve and process data in parallel. This technique creates a smoother gaming experience by rendering assets faster and reducing input lag. Unlike other levels, RAID 0 does not have built-in fault tolerance. A single point of failure will result in data loss.
Other Options
A small group of gamers with complex add-ons, mods, or settings might have interest in RAID 10 to duplicate that data.
Tip: Benchmarks for RAID 0 will show a larger improvement than its real-world performance. These diminishing returns are due to factors such as data access patterns, networks, and servers. Upgrading to a single premium SSD is likely a much more practical option for most gamers.
Virtual machines (VMs) have become more popular for backups, databases, directories, and internal management.
What RAID 10 Delivers to VMs
RAID 10 suits most virtual machines because they often face a substantial volume of read and write operations. The level provides good latency under mixed workloads and rather quick rebuilds. As mentioned, RAID 10’s performance edge can present budget concerns for some parties. Especially if the array uses enterprise SSDs for seamless performance.
Other Options
If storage space is far more critical than achieving the lowest latencies, then RAID 6 is a possible substitute.
How To Set Up RAID Array
Choosing the optimal RAID level and the number of disks in the array is not the final step. You must also decide on how to configure the RAID.
There are three methods for RAID configurations.
Hardware RAID uses a dedicated controller card to manage data stored on the array. This setup is a fast, reliable solution because it offloads tasks to a specialized processor with its own memory.
Software RAID uses the operating system (OS) to organize hard drives within the unit. It is a common approach for systems running on Linux or Windows.
You could also use built-in pool managers designed for a specific NAS appliance. Many of these managers are user-friendly, allowing you to define layouts or control rebuilds. However, they can have some limitations, such as migrating to other platforms and mixing drives.
After selecting the method, you will confirm that the system sees the device, then create the array. You can initiate RAID creation in the controller BIOS or use tools within the OS or NAS UI. Options like stripe size and cache settings are determined during this time. Once finished, you must format, partition, and mount the volume.
Build and rebuild times can range from hours to days, so plan accordingly. We also recommend validating your RAID before it is needed.
Reminder: RAID is not a flawless backup. Do not ignore the array once it is live. Set up alerts, schedule checks, and maintain a copy of the data in another location.
Experts in Different Types of RAID Arrays
Since 2007, our engineers have recovered billions of files from thousands of failed arrays. We use cutting-edge SSD and hard drive recovery techniques to retrieve data lost due to controller failure, file corruption, or ransomware. Our advanced RAID repair tools can restore files on NAS, servers, and other storage systems.
Not sure of the issue? We can often help. Trust the specialists with decades of experience, a 96% success rate, and a No Data, No Recovery Fee guarantee.
Call 800-388-1266 or request help to speak with our team, start a case, and reclaim what matters most.
Yevgeniy Reznik
Yevgeniy Reznik is Laboratory Operations Manager at Secure Data Recovery Services in Cleveland, Ohio, and has more than a decade of experience as a data recovery engineer. He graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in computer science and spent 15 years as an IT entrepreneur and small business owner before joining the company.
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