A Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is used to create a server combining two or more disks drives. RAID brings high performance, storage capacity, data redundancy, and fault tolerance.
The quality of features depends on the different levels of the RAID. The most popular raid configurations are RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10. In this blog, TechNinjaPro will compare two of these RAIDs to help choose which one is better for you in a specific situation.
What Is RAID 1?
RAID 1 is supposed to be best at data recovery in the case of any disk failure in the array. It uses mirroring in the pursuit of providing a better data recovery facility as compared to other RAIDs, and improved data recovery comes at the expense of performance and storage space.
The mirroring process creates duplicate files of all the data written on it. And it uses the other device to store that clone data as a backup. In the case of one drive failure, the second drive helps you restore the data.
You must understand both pros and cons of RAID 1 before choosing it for your use.
Advantages of RAID 1
TechNinjaPro brings the advantages of the RAID 1 to help you in the selection:
- Fast Speed: RAID 1 delivers fast read and writing speeds. And for the goal to read data from more than one disk, a RAID controller with multiplexing can be used.
- Data Recovery: In the case of a drive failure, you don’t have to rebuild your data; simply copy it to the substitute disk. The recovery procedure is straightforward and quick, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a low-cost, high-fault-tolerance solution.
- Easy Data Access: RAID 1 allows access to data whenever you request. Data loss is minimal because the data is replicated across multiple disks. Furthermore, data can be read from more than two disks simultaneously, implying excellent performance.
Disadvantages of RAID 1
If you know the disadvantages of the product you are planning to use; therefore TechNinjaPro has gathered the drawbacks of RAID 1.
- Utilize half of the storage: Due to every piece of information mirroring, RAID 1 uses two drives to save the same data. This may provide better recovery and security, but it will take double the amount of storage. Because some people require more storage, this could be one of its drawbacks.
- Recovery time: As discussed in the previous section, RAID 1 provides the best security and recovery option. But that comes with liabilities as well. The system has to be turned off when a disc fails to fix or replace the failed disk drive.
What Is RAID 5?
The RAID 5 is more like a better version of RAID 0. It comes with the stripping to divide and spread the information across multiple drives. But when it comes to collecting the information, it uses parity technology.
Parity cannot be considered a backup facility, and it is more like a filing system that understands where data is stored, verifying whether the data in a particular file contains everything it should. RAID 5 adds some advancement to prior RAID levels’ security by striping its parity system, which means that the parity data for a specific file is kept on a different drive than the main file.
To give you a more precise understanding of RAID 5, down below, you will find the pros and cons of the array configuration.
Advantages of RAID 5
Here are some of the advantages of the RAID 5, gathered by TechNinjaPro.
- Quick Speed: Similar to the RAID 0 splitting feature, it also has fast read speeds and can simultaneously serve numerous people. This feature helps it to stand out among the RAID levels.
- Redundancy of data: Thanks to parity, data redundancy is also a significant element in RAID 5. In a RAID 5 configuration, data is striped evenly across all disks. Furthermore, parity information is saved to retrieve data if one disk fails.
- Rebuild drive: In the case of disk failure, parity knowledge is used to reconstruct data, and it does not require restarting the computer. Even if you replace the failed drive, you can still access the information.
- Storage Capacity: Unlike RAID 1, this configuration uses parity data to recover the data. It does not have to create copies of the information on a separate drive, which utilizes more storage capacity.
Disadvantages of RAID 5
Getting to know the drawbacks of RAID 5 is essential for you, so here are some of the advantages of the RAID 5, gathered by TechNinjaPro.
- Slow writing and recovery: Because of the parity, the writing process of the data can be a little slow. Plus, if the drive fails, it will take some time to collect the data across the RAID configuration. In the case of another disk failure during the process, the whole data will be lost.
- Drive failure: Because the system actively stores information during a drive loss, read/write rates will be severely slowed.
RAID 1 vs. RAID 5 - Key Differences
- Disk mirroring is used in RAID 1, whereas parity striping is used in RAID 5.
- RAID 1 is less expensive to set up because the minimum disc required is two, but RAID 5 is more costly because it requires a minimum of three drives.
- RAID 1 has a storage capacity of 50%, whereas RAID 5 has an ability of 80%.
- The write speed of Raid 1 is slower than that of a single disc. The write speed of RAID 5 is substantially faster than that of a single drive, but it lags slightly due to the need to create parity data.
- RAID 1 has a more significant write penalty because each extra drive requires a copy of all data. Due to striping, RAID 5 has a minor write penalty, but the requirement for parity data boosts the penalty slightly.
- All data is saved across all drives in both RAID 1 and 5, but RAID 5 must spread non-sequential data out more to create a place for parity data.
Features | RAID 1 | RAID 5 |
---|---|---|
Key Feature | Disk Mirroring | Disk Striping With Parity Check System |
Storage Disks Required | 2 | Three or More |
Storage Capacity | 50% | 80% |
Parity Check System | No | Yes – Parity Data is Across All Drives |
Fault Tolerance | Yes | Yes – 1 Drive Can Fail |
Data Recovery | Yes | Yes – Using the Parity Check System |
Overall Cost | Much Less Expensive | Expensive |
Disk Read Performance | Same or Slightly Higher Than a Single Disk | Fairly Quick |
Disk Write Performance | Very Slow | Fairly Quick |
Write Penalty? | Yes – Moderate | Yes – Slightly Due to Writing to the Parity Block |
Appropriate Purpose | Data Security – Where Data Loss is Unacceptable | A Balance Between Speed & Data Security |
Conclusion
A complete comparison of RAID 5 and RAID 10 is provided in the article. If you still have not decided, don’t worry; TechNinjaPro will walk you through a real-life scenario to help you select which one to utilize in a specific case.
When to Use RAID 1?
RAID 1 is recommended for those who are looking for a dependable server that ensures zero data loss. People use this array for accounting-related data, and institutions such as hospitals, schools, and legal firms frequently employ it.
It is suited for little servers with only two disks and if you’re looking for an easy setup.
When to Use RAID 5?
RAID 5 is to go with if you are looking for a decent blend of fault tolerance, performance, and storage capacity. If you do not want to spend a lot of money and don’t want to sacrifice space or performance, RAID 5 is a wonderful option.