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Question 1 :
State the differences between SATA,PATA and SCSI
SATA: Serial advanced technology attachment
PATA: Parallel advanced technology attachment
SCSI: Small computer systems interface
All three of these devices are commonly used by harddrives and optical drives. For most purposes, SATA
is the new standard and the best way to go, as it transfers data much faster than PATA and allows for
better airflow due to the smaller wire. SCSI was mostly used for server machines, which were more
expensive. SCSI was used for connecting computers to peripherals, other computers, and local area
networks
Question 2 :
What is RAID? Give a reason why we need RAID.
RAID is an acronym that stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks or
Redundant Array of Independent Disks. A RAID array joins two or more hard disks so
that they make a logical disk. There are different reasons why this is done. The most
common ones are:
Stopping data loss, when one or more disks of the array fail.
Getting faster data transfers.
Getting the ability to change disks while the system keeps running.
Joining several disks to get more storage capacity; sometimes lots of cheap disks
are used, rather than a more expensive one.
RAID is done by using special hardware or software on the computer. The joined
hard disks will then look like one hard disk to the user. Most RAID levels increase the
redundancy. This means that they store the data more often, or they store
information on how to reconstruct the data. This allows for a number of disks to fail
without the data being lost. When the failed disk is replaced, the data it should
contain will be copied or rebuilt from the other disks of the system. This can take a
long time. The time it takes depends on different factors, like the size of the array.
One of the reasons why many companies are using RAID is that the data in the
array can simply be used. Those using the data need not be aware they are using
RAID at all. When a failure occurred and the array is recovering, access to the data
will be slower. Accessing the data during this time will also slow down the recovery
process, but this is still much faster than not being able to work with the data at all.
Depending on the RAID level however, disks may not fail while the new disk is being
prepared for use. A disk failing at that time will result in losing all the data in the
array.
The different ways to join disks are called RAID levels. A bigger number for the level
is not necessarily better. Different RAID levels have different purposes. Some RAID
levels need special disks and special controllers .
RAID
RAID
RAID
RAID
0
1
5
10 (also known as RAID 1+0)
This article explains the main difference between these raid levels along with an
easy to understand diagram.
In all the diagrams mentioned below:
Minimum 2 disks.
RAID LEVEL 1
Minimum 2 disks.
Good performance ( no striping. no parity ).
Excellent redundancy ( as blocks are mirrored ).
RAID LEVEL 5
Minimum 3 disks.
Best cost effective option providing both performance and redundancy. Use this for DB that is
heavily read oriented. Write operations will be slow.
RAID LEVEL 10
Following are the key points to remember for RAID level 10.
Minimum 4 disks.
This is also called as stripe of mirrors
Excellent redundancy ( as blocks are mirrored )
Excellent performance ( as blocks are striped )
If you can afford the dollar, this is the BEST option for any mission critical
applications (especially databases).
3. Unlike hardware RAID, Software RAID takes up a portion of the host processor.