: 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
8512162.book Page 40 Tuesday, February 13, 2007 3:44 PM
Summary of Contents for FX530XG
Page 1: ...GATEWAY COMPUTER REFERENCEGUIDE 8512162 book Page a Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 2: ...8512162 book Page b Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 10: ...CHAPTER 1 About This Reference 4 8512162 book Page 4 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 88: ...CHAPTER 5 Upgrading Your Computer 82 8512162 book Page 82 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 106: ...CHAPTER 6 Maintaining Your Computer 100 8512162 book Page 100 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 144: ...CHAPTER 7 Troubleshooting 138 8512162 book Page 138 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 154: ...APPENDIX A Legal Notices 148 8512162 book Page 148 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 165: ...8512162 book Page 159 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...
Page 166: ...MAN BTX CONS REF GDE V R1 2 07 8512162 book Page 160 Tuesday February 13 2007 3 44 PM...