- Excel / Meridian Data Computer Drive User Manual

SECURSTOR ASTRA ES 81
Chapter 5: Technology Background
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Introduction to RAID (below)
• Choosing a RAID Level
• Choosing a Stripe Size
• Choosing a Sector Size
• Cache Policy
• LUN Affinity
• Capacity Coercion
• Initialization
• Hot Spare Drives
• Partition and Format the Logical Drive
• RAID Level Migration
• Media Patrol
• Predictive Data Migration
• Transition
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. The following outline
breaks down the properties for each type of RAID disk array: