RAID Types and Disk Overhead

Which RAID type has the highest disk overhead?

A. RAID 5

B. RAID 1

C. RAID 0

D. RAID 10

Final answer: RAID 1

Answer:

RAID 1, also known as mirroring, has the highest disk overhead among the RAID types mentioned. It requires double the amount of storage space to protect data.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a technology that combines multiple disk drives into a single unit for improving performance, data redundancy, or both. Understanding the various RAID types is crucial in designing storage solutions that meet specific needs.

Explanation:

The RAID type with the highest disk overhead is RAID 1. RAID 1, also known as mirroring, involves duplicating the same data on two or more disks. This means that for every disk in use, there needs to be an equal amount of space on another disk for the duplicate data. Therefore, the overhead is 100% as it requires double the amount of storage space to protect data. Among the options, RAID 0, RAID 5, and RAID 10, RAID 1 has the most disk overhead.

RAID 5, for example, uses a distributed parity, which spreads parity blocks across all member disks. This allows for data redundancy while minimizing the disk overhead. RAID 0, on the other hand, offers striping without redundancy, resulting in lower overhead compared to RAID 1. RAID 10 combines mirroring and striping for increased performance and redundancy but with less disk overhead than RAID 1.

It's important to consider the trade-offs between disk overhead, data protection, and performance when choosing a RAID type for a specific storage environment.