We had a short discussion about RAID and salvaging data…
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Using a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks, or a Redundant Array of Independent Disks, involves two or more hard disk drives. By using a RAID configuration you can have your computing performance experienced enhanced, possibly salvage data, and/or store more data on larger volumes. It depends on the type of RAID you use…
There are various types of RAID to use to achieve different goals. Here are some of the descriptions of different types…
RAID 0 distributes data across several disks. It can improve speed, but all data on all disks will be lost if a disk fails. (I’ve found information that states Windows XP Professional, and Windows Vista Ultimate, support RAID 0.)
RAID 1 copies data to more than one hard disk so that if one drive fails, the data is available on another. It’s referred to as “mirroring”. Do not use RAID as a replacement for backing up: a system malfunction could overwrite data, a file could be damaged/deleted, and all could be lost if the computer is damaged (theft/flood/fire/etcetera).
RAID 5 uses at least three hard disks so that, if one drive fails, the data on the other two are available.
RAID can be accomplished by using operating systems that support RAID, and/or hardware controllers (supported by the motherboard, or by using an expansion card). Also, Network-attached storage (NAS) devices…disk drives on a network…could be used in an implemention of RAID.