RAID, a short form for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, stores the same data in various places on several hard disks to protect data loss in hard drive failure. It allows the smooth overlapping of input and output data operations, improving performance, and preventing data loss.
The multiple disks allow different techniques such as disk mirroring, disk stripping, and paring. A portable raid system ultimately provides scalability in your system leading to more efficiency by combining several physical hard disks into a single logical unit. It offers more benefits to systems in various ways.
Large storage
One of the common limitations in many tech devices is the lack of enough storage space. But worry not because a portable raid system is very convenient, since you only need to insert a disk into the array to create more space. RAID arrays involve the use of more than one hard disk, and that means more space.
No unplanned downtime
If a computer runs with only a single hard drive, the chances are that if a fault develops with the hard drive, the entire system will stop working, risking data loss. Since a potable RAID runs on multiple hard disks, the system has enough back up to continue operating as you replace the faulty hard drive.
That prevents unplanned downtime that could negatively impact you, especially if you are using the system.
Data security
Unlike a single hard disk, the RAID system automatically creates backups in the array of hard disks. That is what we call data redundancy. Although that is not fool-proof, the multiple backups provide some fault tolerance for the system.
For instance, a portable RAID 1 hard drive will automatically make a copy of each written transaction to another drive in a process referred to as data mirroring. In case one drive fails, the mirrored drive takes over. That provides a backup for all your data.
Faster system speeds
The array of hard disks will work faster than a single hard disk and create multiple data copies simultaneously. That leads to an improved data transmission rate; therefore, you can achieve better disk performance.
For example, a portable RAID 0 automatically duplicates data across the hard disks with high performance write transactions for the system. The process of grabbing data and writing it across various hard drives is what we call data stripping.
System checks
In addition to foster system speeds, a RAID system has an excellent advantage of parity check. This feature identifies any potential problems that may crash the system and warns you. Such proactiveness will help you figure out the issue and fix it as soon as possible.
Parity involves data reconstruction capability in case one drive fails. For instance, when using a portable RAID 5 system, information is spread out across various disks. In case a drive fails, you have to replace it with a new one, which involves data reconstruction that is better than losing all the data.
The bottom line
A portable RAID system is a powerful and practical tool that speeds up server processes while preventing data loss. It replaces your single hard drive with two to four hard drives, although it depends on the RAID level you install. Generally, it provides massive storage, backup, data security, parity check, efficiency, and scalability.