Setting up a RAID system

It is possible to set up a RAID system, in order to enhance data security. In a RAID system, physically available storage media, including hard drives or Flash cards, are organized in a logic drive.

On these storage media, redundant information is created in a targeted manner and mirrored to all storage media integrated in the RAID system. If individual storage media fail due to defects, for example, the data is not lost. A faulty storage medium can be replaced with a new one. The data is restored on the new storage medium with the aid of the remaining storage medium. In this way the original state can easily be restored.

The following RAID options can be selected to set up a RAID system:

• RAID 1 (real-time data protection) is used to mirror a storage media. Data is written redundantly on two storage media. If a storage medium fails, it can be replaced. The data is restored on the new storage medium with the aid of the remaining storage medium.
• RAID 0 (optimized disk performance) is used to increase the speed of the storage media. The data is distributed to both storage media but not stored redundantly. The aim is not data security, but maximum write and read speed.
• RAID 5 (efficient data hosting and protection) is used to combine data security and performance. RAID 5 offers data security through redundancy as well as higher data throughput. For this option at least three storage media are required.
  

Optimum RAID system An inappropriate RAID option can lead to data loss. Ensure optimum data security for your system and the devices used in it. Only use the RAID 1 option for your RAID system, in order to ensure enhanced data security in case of failure of the storage media.

Recommendations

1. For a RAID system, only the RAID 1 option is recommended and described in the documentation.
2. Make regular backups of your system. Note that a RAID system only protects against hardware failures (storage media). The RAID system does not protect against data corruption, which makes the storage medium unusable.
3. Use an USV so that no corrupt data is written on the storage media during a power failure.
4. Use storage media suitable for industrial use supplied by Beckhoff.

Chapter overview

The following sections describe how to set up a RAID system with the following two methods:

• Using a Beckhoff USB stick with integrated Beckhoff Service Tool
  (see: Using the Beckhoff USB stick for setting up the system).
• Using the Intel Manager, which is pre-installed on your device. This method has the advantage that the image does not have to be reinstalled
  (see: Using the Intel Manager for setting up the system).
• Special function: The recovery function protects against data corruption and copies data from a master to a recovery storage medium (see: Using the recovery mode). This allows to save valid data on a second storage media and to be restored if required.