Disk array

HP EVA4400-1

== Disk Array ==

A disk array is a data storage system that contains multiple disk drives. It is designed to manage and optimize the storage, retrieval, and protection of data. Disk arrays are commonly used in data centers, enterprise storage, and cloud computing environments to provide high availability, redundancy, and performance.

Components

A disk array typically consists of the following components:

• Disk drives: Multiple hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) that store data.
• Controllers: Hardware or software components that manage the disk drives and handle data read/write operations.
• Cache memory: Temporary storage used to speed up data access and improve performance.
• Enclosures: Physical housings that contain the disk drives and other components.

Types of Disk Arrays

There are several types of disk arrays, each with its own characteristics and use cases:

• RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): A technology that combines multiple disk drives into a single logical unit to provide redundancy and improve performance.
• JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks): A configuration where multiple disk drives are connected but not combined into a single logical unit.
• SAN (Storage Area Network): A high-speed network that connects disk arrays to servers, allowing for centralized storage management.
• NAS (Network-Attached Storage): A storage device that connects to a network and provides file-based storage services to clients.

RAID Levels

RAID technology is commonly used in disk arrays to provide data redundancy and improve performance. Some common RAID levels include:

• RAID 0: Data is striped across multiple disks for improved performance but offers no redundancy.
• RAID 1: Data is mirrored across multiple disks for redundancy.
• RAID 5: Data and parity information are striped across multiple disks, providing a balance of performance and redundancy.
• RAID 6: Similar to RAID 5 but with additional parity information, allowing for the failure of two disks.
• RAID 10: Combines RAID 0 and RAID 1, providing both performance and redundancy.

Benefits

Disk arrays offer several benefits, including:

• High availability: Redundant components and RAID configurations ensure data is available even in the event of hardware failures.
• Scalability: Disk arrays can be easily expanded by adding more disk drives or enclosures.
• Performance: Cache memory and RAID configurations can significantly improve data access speeds.
• Centralized management: Disk arrays allow for centralized storage management, simplifying administration and maintenance.

Use Cases

Disk arrays are used in various applications, including:

• Database management systems: To store and manage large volumes of data.
• Virtualization: To provide storage for virtual machines.
• Backup and recovery: To store backup copies of data and ensure quick recovery in case of data loss.
• Big data: To store and process large datasets.

Related Pages

• RAID
• Storage Area Network
• Network-Attached Storage
• Hard disk drive
• Solid-state drive
• Data center
• Cloud computing

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