HP Compaq Integrated Smart Array Controller - Manual (Page 111)

Understanding Drive Arrays B-5
Compaq Confidential – Need to Know Required
Writer: CDresden Project: Compaq Integrated Smart Array Controller User Guide Comments:
Part Number: 153236-001 File Name: i-appb Understanding Drive Arrays.doc Last Saved On: 8/27/99 11:35 AM
Drive Array Benefits
Using drive arrays with the Integrated Smart Array Controller has several
important benefits:
■ Data protection
■ Performance enhancement
■ Capacity changes
■ Drive movement
■ Data reliability
Data Protection
The Integrated Smart Array Controller provides several options for producing
data redundancy in a more reliable system, including distributed data,
fault-tolerance methods, assigning online spares, and rebuilding data
automatically to online spare drives.
Fault-Tolerance (RAID) Options
During configuration, you will make RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive
Disks) level choices. RAID is a term used for an array technology that
provides data redundancy to increase system reliability and performance.
There are several RAID levels ranging from RAID 0 to RAID 5. The
Integrated Smart Array Controller provides the following levels of RAID:
■ RAID 0
No fault tolerance (data striping for performance only)
■ RAID 1
Drive mirroring
■ RAID 0+1
Drive striping and mirroring
■ RAID 5
Distributed data guarding