
Network attached storage (NAS) systems for mission-critical applications require high data integrity and system performance. As the backbone for storing and accessing critical data, NAS devices must include functionality that minimizes the risks associated with data loss due to hardware disk failures. Storage devices often rely on a redundant array of independent disk (RAID) configurations to mitigate data loss from disk failures, improve data throughput speed, and maximize storage efficiency.
For over two decades, RAID has remained a cornerstone of data storage technology. By combining multiple physical disks into a single system, RAID distributes data using various methods to achieve redundancy and speed. By safeguarding and preserving crucial data, RAID is indispensable in commercial, industrial, and military storage applications.
This white paper delves into five primary RAID architectures, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, and their relevance to NAS systems. Each RAID level offers unique advantages and drawbacks. The paper excludes considering RAID configurations 2, 3, and 4, as they are largely obsolete.