RAID (i.e. Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) is a logical unit of multiple disk drives that are combined to get enhanced data storage performance on Servers. Data in a RAID array is distributed among all disk drives to build an architecture that allows for faster data processing, and hence improves overall system performance significantly. You can achieve high fault tolerance, improved system performance, and large data storage capacity with RAID. B However, when compared to a single hard drive, RAID is more susceptible to corruption.
As RAID is a logical collection of several physical disks, a RAID configuration may frequently fail because of its mechanical structure.
Generally, RAID technology is used in large organizations, universities, or at the places where large amount of data is to be stored., Each configuration is based on specific data storage and performance needs. . Failure of RAID may cause huge amount of data loss and the organization may go belly up; RAID data recovery software can efficiently restore all data lost from a RAID array.
The aftermath of a RAID failure can be more severe due to mere inattention of the users. The users who do not perform regular backups of data stored on RAID array are likely to face the worst consequences of a RAID breakdown. Let us go through the types of failures a RAID array suffers from:
* In a RAID configuration, every disk drive belongs to the same batch and has an equal workload. Failure of a single mechanical component of any of the member disks may result in the failure of whole array.
* RAID servers employ a device called 'RAID controller' that manages functioning of physical disk drives and makes the entire unit behave as a single logical drive. If a RAID controller fails, you cannot access your data.
* RAID requires a constant power supply; power fluctuations or failures could result in the failure of the Controller card’s NVRAM settings, and hence data loss.
* When either of the disk drive in the RAID configuration fails, it has to be replaced immediately. A wrong attempt to rebuild RAID may cause the failure of whole array..
* RAID has high fault-tolerance against all physical hazards, but not against even a single logical or internal error.
Though RAID configuration may fail due to any of the above mentioned causes, the failure would certainly lead to large amount of data loss. However, you can recover RAID data (in case of logical corruption) using any advanced and professional data recovery software. Alternatively, take the whole setup to some data recovery experts and let them do whatever is necessary to recover the data.
Maria Therasus is computer recovery expert and doing research on Windows data recovery as well as Windows File recovery Software . Latest research are based on recovery software.