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Chapter 7: Technology Background
• Introduction to RAID (below)
• Choosing a RAID Level (page 188)
• Stripe Size (page 191)
• Sector Size (page 191)
• Cache Policy (page 192)
• Capacity Coercion (page 193)
• Initialization (page 194)
• Hot Spare Drive(s) (page 194)
• Partition and Format the Logical Drive (page 195)
• RAID Level Migration (page 195)
• Media Patrol (page 198)
• Predictive Data Migration (PDM) (page 199)
• Transition (page 200)
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. Also see Choosing RAID Level on page 188. The following
outline breaks down the properties for each type of RAID disk array: