RAID Calculator

- May 10, 2025
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Calculate storage capacity, performance metrics, and fault tolerance for different RAID configurations. This calculator helps you plan your storage array based on your requirements for capacity, redundancy, and performance.

Storage Configuration

RAID Configuration
Drive Configuration
Drive Performance (Optional)
MB/s
MB/s
ms

Advanced Options

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About RAID Technology

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines multiple physical disk drives into one or more logical units for data redundancy, performance improvement, or both. Different RAID levels offer different balances between key objectives: reliability, availability, performance, and capacity.

Common RAID Levels
  • RAID 0 (Striping): Data is split across all drives. Offers best performance but no redundancy. If one drive fails, all data is lost.
  • RAID 1 (Mirroring): Data is duplicated on two or more drives. Provides excellent redundancy but reduces capacity by 50%.
  • RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): Data is striped across drives with distributed parity. Can survive one drive failure.
  • RAID 6 (Striping with Double Parity): Similar to RAID 5 but with dual parity. Can survive two simultaneous drive failures.
  • RAID 10 (1+0): Combines mirroring and striping. Offers good performance and redundancy but requires at least 4 drives.
Key Considerations
  • Capacity: Different RAID levels use different amounts of space for redundancy.
  • Performance: Read and write speeds can vary significantly between RAID levels.
  • Fault Tolerance: How many drives can fail without data loss varies by RAID level.
  • Rebuild Time: Larger drives take longer to rebuild after a failure, increasing vulnerability.
  • RAID is Not Backup: RAID protects against drive failure, not user error, corruption, or disasters.
Best Practices
  • Use identical drives (same size, speed, and ideally same model) for best performance and reliability.
  • Implement a proper backup strategy in addition to RAID.
  • Consider using a hardware RAID controller for critical systems instead of software RAID.
  • Monitor drive health and have spare drives ready for quick replacement.
  • For maximum data safety, follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: 3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 off-site.

Understanding the RAID Calculator

The RAID Calculator is a handy tool designed for anyone who wants to get the most out of their storage systems. By entering specific details about your setup, you can quickly find out crucial information like usable storage capacity, performance, and fault tolerance. This information helps you make informed decisions about your data management needs.

Choosing Your RAID Level

Selecting the right RAID level is essential for achieving your desired balance between performance and redundancy. The RAID calculator offers a range of options, from RAID 0, which focuses on speed, to RAID 1, which prioritises data protection. Here’s a quick look at the most common RAID levels:

  • RAID 0: Great speed, no redundancy.
  • RAID 1: Mirrors data for safety.
  • RAID 5: Combines speed with single parity for protection.
  • RAID 6: Offers double parity, allowing for two drive failures.
  • RAID 10: A mix of striping and mirroring for optimal performance and safety.

Configuring Your Drives

The calculator makes it easy to configure your drives. You can specify how many drives you’re using and the size of each one. This is crucial because the total storage and efficiency depend on these choices. Knowing how many drives and their capacities helps you understand the limits and benefits of your storage system.

Exploring Drive Performance

In addition to capacity, performance metrics are vital. The RAID Calculator allows you to input performance details like read and write speeds, as well as IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second). This helps you see how fast your setup can process data, ensuring you get the speeds you require for your tasks.

Advanced Options for Precision

For those who want to get deeper into the calculations, the calculator offers advanced options. You can input factors like file system overhead, which can affect the actual usable capacity. Having this information allows you to understand how your settings impact overall performance and storage efficiency.

Getting Clear Results

Once you’ve entered all your data, the calculator generates clear and concise results. You’ll see your usable storage capacity, performance metrics, and fault tolerance at a glance. This straightforward presentation makes it easy to compare various RAID configurations and choose the best one for your needs.

Learning About RAID Technology

Understanding RAID technology is crucial for making the most of the calculator. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It’s a way to combine multiple hard drives into one unit for better performance and data safety. Knowing the basics helps you appreciate why certain configurations might work better for your setup.

Why Use the RAID Calculator?

Using the RAID Calculator benefits anyone managing data, from casual users to IT professionals. It simplifies complex decisions about storage configurations while providing insights into performance and reliability. Whether you’re setting up a home server or an enterprise solution, this tool ensures you have the knowledge to optimise your storage efficiently.