Hi leonchik
RAID stands for "Redundant Array of Independent Disks" and could be
useful in home computing in situations that involve needing a lot of
HDD storage--multiple hard drives, like video and audio editing.
Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia that explains RAID in laymans terms:
Wikipedia: RAID
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks
..."At the very simplest level, RAID combines multiple hard drives
into a single logical unit. Thus, instead of seeing several different
hard drives, the operating system sees only one. RAID is typically
used on server computers, and is usually (but not necessarily)
implemented with identically sized disk drives. With decreases in hard
drive prices and wider availability of RAID options built into
motherboard chipsets, RAID is also being found and offered as an
option in more advanced personal computers. This is especially true in
computers dedicated to storage-intensive tasks, such as video and
audio editing..."
[more at the link]
Levels of RAID
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAID.html
Hope this helps!
~~Cynthia
Search strategy: Wikipedia |
Request for Answer Clarification by
leonchik-ga
on
21 Sep 2006 01:20 PDT
yes, but what it's usage? how making to physical drive into one logical can help?
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Request for Answer Clarification by
leonchik-ga
on
21 Sep 2006 01:20 PDT
is it only larger space on one logical drive?
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Clarification of Answer by
cynthia-ga
on
21 Sep 2006 02:40 PDT
Hi! Thanks for asking me to clarify my answer.
The way I understand it, RAID spans the logical drive across 2 or more
physical drives so they appear seamless (as if they are one) to the
Operating System. This is handy in an environment where there is a
need for a huge amount of HD storage space. Servers use RAID.
Linked below is a great site that explains RAID in more detail and
describes some of the applications where RAID would be a good (or bad)
chioce.
Why Use RAID? Benefits and Costs, Tradeoffs and Limitations
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/perf/raid/why.htm
..."RAID offers many advantages over the use of single hard disks, but
it is clearly not for everyone. The potential for increased capacity,
performance and reliability are attractive, but they come with real
costs. Nothing in life is free. In this section I take an overview
look at RAID, to help explain its benefits, costs, tradeoffs and
limitations. This should give you a better idea if RAID is for you,
and help you to understand what RAID can do--and what it can't do.
As you read on, it's essential to keep in mind that with RAID, it's
definitely the case that "the devil is in the details". Most common
blanket statements made about RAID like "RAID improves availability"
or "RAID is for companies that need fast database service" or "RAID
level 5 is better than RAID level 0" are only true at best part of the
time. In almost every case, it depends. Usually, what RAID is and what
it does for you depends on what type you choose and how you implement
and manage it. For example, for some applications RAID 5 is better
than RAID 0; for others, RAID 0 is vastly superior to RAID 5! There
are situations where a RAID design, hardware and software that would
normally result in high reliability could result instead in disaster
if they are not properly controlled..."
[Note: click on RAID Benefits at the bottom]
~~Cynthia
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Request for Answer Clarification by
leonchik-ga
on
21 Sep 2006 02:56 PDT
Is it nessecerily to have exactly two same harddisks and capacity on raid?
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Clarification of Answer by
cynthia-ga
on
21 Sep 2006 03:33 PDT
Hi again,
The answer to this new question is No. You don't have to have matching
hard drives. You can see that here:
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/softraid/351/
Please note that this question is outside the scope of your original
question, I'm not clarifying here, I'm answering a new question about
hardware specifications, not about what RAID is and how it might/could
be useful for a home user... RAID is a complex subject and I don't
know anything about it, I'm only an expert at finding information that
people want, so the technical aspects are a mystery to me!
That doesn't change my answer in any way, you Don't need matching hard drives.
Cheers!
~~Cynthia
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Clarification of Answer by
cynthia-ga
on
21 Sep 2006 03:42 PDT
Actually, I just noticed that the answer to this new question was in
the Wikipedia link I gave you! (tsk!) --if you had read the
information I gave you, it answers this clearly:
3rd paragraph under the "Hardware vs. software" heading.
..."In larger RAIDs, the controller and disks are usually housed in an
external multi-bay enclosure. The disks may be IDE, ATA, SATA, SCSI,
Fibre Channel, or any combination thereof..."
I selected very good, informative links for you, take a bit of time to read them.
Good luck with your project!
~~Cynthia
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