Gateway FX530S 8512280 - Gateway Computer Reference Guide (for Gateway FX-Seri - Page 46

RAID 1 for security

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CHAPTER 4: Advanced Hardware Setup In the graphic below, each letter represents a unique block of data, and each column represents a separate hard drive. RAID 0 A B C D E F How it makes file storage cheaper Because RAID 0 lets your computer see multiple hard drives as a single drive, you can install several lower capacity (less expensive) drives and have the same single-drive storage simplicity and capacity as a larger, more expensive hard drive. Drawbacks Unfortunately, RAID 0 lets multiple drives behave as one in another way. If part of the array fails (such as a hard drive crashing), the entire array fails. Because the drives are treated like a single drive, parts of files (including operating system files) can be spread across several drives, leaving the computer with only file fragments if one drive fails. Regular and frequent backups are critical. Another drawback is that RAID 0 treats each hard drive as if it has the storage capacity of the smallest drive in the array. So if you have three drives (300 GB, 250 GB, and 200 GB) in a RAID 0 array, your computer only recognizes 600 GB total capacity. RAID 1 for security RAID 1 maintains a complete copy of all files on each physical hard drive in the array. Maintaining simultaneous, complete copies of files across multiple hard drives is called mirroring. If a drive fails, the mirrored drive takes over and acts as the primary drive. 40

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CHAPTER
4
: Advanced Hardware Setup
40
In the graphic below, each letter represents a unique block
of data, and each column represents a separate hard drive.
How it makes file storage cheaper
Because RAID 0 lets your computer see multiple hard drives
as a single drive, you can install several lower capacity (less
expensive) drives and have the same single-drive storage
simplicity and capacity as a larger, more expensive hard drive.
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, RAID 0 lets multiple drives behave as one in
another way. If part of the array fails (such as a hard drive
crashing), the entire array fails. Because the drives are treated
like a single drive, parts of files (including operating system
files) can be spread across several drives, leaving the
computer with only file fragments if one drive fails. Regular
and frequent backups are critical.
Another drawback is that RAID 0 treats each hard drive as if
it has the storage capacity of the smallest drive in the array.
So if you have three drives (300 GB, 250 GB, and 200 GB) in
a RAID 0 array, your computer only recognizes 600 GB total
capacity.
RAID 1 for security
RAID 1 maintains a complete copy of all files on each physical
hard drive in the array. Maintaining simultaneous, complete
copies of files across multiple hard drives is called
mirroring
.
If a drive fails, the mirrored drive takes over and acts as the
primary drive.
A
C
E
B
D
F
RAID 0