Introduction RAID system

You have the option to increase data security by setting up a RAID system. In a RAID system, physically available storage media, including hard drives or memory 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.

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 medium. Data is written redundantly to 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.

Recommendations

• Only use RAID 1 technology for a RAID system. Only this technology is described below.
• Make regular backups of your system. Note that a RAID system only protects against hardware failures (storage media). A RAID system does not replace a backup and does not protect against corrupt data that renders the storage media unusable.
• Use a UPS to prevent corrupt data from being written to the storage media in the event of a power failure.
• Use industrial-grade storage media supplied by Beckhoff.