RAID
Also known as: Redundant Array of Independent Disks
RAID spreads data across multiple hard drives so that a single drive failure does not cause data loss.
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines several hard drives so that data is stored redundantly across them. It exists because any single drive eventually fails, and a system should not come to a complete stop every time that happens.
In practice, specific RAID levels are used for this: RAID 1 mirrors data identically across two drives, RAID 5 spreads data and a checksum across at least three drives and survives the loss of any one drive, RAID 6 survives the loss of two drives at the same time. Which level fits depends on how much storage capacity and how much fault tolerance is needed.
The most common mistake is assuming RAID is already a backup. RAID protects against a drive failing, but not against accidental deletion, ransomware encrypting the files, or the whole device being stolen - only a separate backup protects against those.
What it means in practice
For a business this means: RAID keeps a server running past the first failed drive, but it does not replace a backup. NDVDL configures RAID levels to match how the server is actually used and sets up a separate backup on top of it.
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