Server: differences between hard RAID and soft RAID

Server: differences between hard RAID and soft RAID
What is RAID?
　　
RAID is short for the English Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It is translated into Chinese as an Independent disk Redundant Array or a disk Array for short. To put it simply, RAID combines multiple independent hard disks (physical hard disks) in different ways to form a hard disk group (logical hard disks ), this provides higher storage performance than a single hard disk and data redundancy technology. RAID Levels is used to form disk arrays ).
　　
Why RAID?
　　
For those who need to store a large amount of data on the hard disk (for example, a common administrator), RAID technology will be very convenient. RAID is used mainly because:
　　
· Enhanced speed
· Expanded storage capabilities (and more convenience)
· Efficient disk recovery
　　
Differences between hard RAID and soft RAID:
　　
What is hard RAID?
　　
Hardware is used to implement RAID functions. For example, hard RAID can be used for various RAID cards, and hard RAID can be used for motherboard integration.
What is soft RAID?
　　
The RAID function is soft RAID by using the operating system. For example, in windows, three hard disks are used as RAID 5.
　　
I. Performance
　　
This may be the most important aspect. RAID is used to improve performance. Theoretically, you can use RAID 0 to get twice the speed of a single hard disk. You can use either soft or hard RAID 0 to get close to this speed. The CPU usage of Soft RAID is higher, so hard RAID leads the way in terms of performance.
　　
Ii. Stability
　　
RAID is designed to achieve performance. Therefore, a hard disk of 7200rpm is generally used. While the mainstream 7200rpm hard disks on the market generate a large volume of heat, and put two disks in the chassis, heat dissipation is already a problem, not to mention three. After all, stability is overwhelming. If the hard disk is burned out, the loss will not be worth the candle. In addition, there are no more than three hard disks in some chassis. Therefore, the stability of hard RAID is higher.
　　
Iii. ease of operation
　　
In Windows 2003/, RAID takes only a few simple steps. The entire interface is Chinese, and can be implemented even if you do not know much about RAID. If you use an out-of-box RAID card, the operation will be much more troublesome. The operation interface is in English and translation software is not available. Therefore, it is easier to implement Soft RAID.
　　
Iv. Compatibility
　　
So far, only Windows 2003/supports Soft RAID. This means that if you use soft RAID, you must discard Win9x, WinMe, and Linux. Hard RAID has better compatibility and can even be compatible with DOS. If a problem occurs in Windows, it is much easier to perform system maintenance.
　　
V. Security
　　
The security of Soft RAID is poor. When a hard disk is damaged, it cannot implement the reconstruction function, and its limitations are also very good. When hard RAID is lost, it can achieve reconstruction, if the RAID card is damaged, you can replace the RAID card to avoid data loss.
What is the difference between RAID integrated into the motherboard and RAID with RAID plug-in RAID cards:
　　
I. Performance
　　
The RAID integrated by the motherboard, its performance and speed are achieved through the CPU and memory of the motherboard. It occupies a certain bandwidth of the motherboard and affects the performance of the entire system, the RAID card is inserted with its own CPU and memory, so most of its data processing will be processed by itself, without affecting the CPU and memory speed on the motherboard. In general, the RAID of the RAID card with the plug-in is much faster than the RAID card integrated with the motherboard.
　　
Ii. Security
　　
The security of RAID integrated with the motherboard cannot be guaranteed. For example, we use the P8SCT motherboard for sata raid. No matter how many RAID you do, it is made by changing the BIOS options of the motherboard, therefore, if the motherboard is damaged, the CMOS battery of the motherboard is down, or you have no intention to change the BIOS settings of the motherboard, RAID is lost. RAID made of the motherboard will not be restored once it is lost, the consequence is very serious. RAID made of RAID cards with plug-in won't affect data because of damage to the motherboard, power loss of CMOS battery on the motherboard, and so on, its security is much higher than that integrated on the motherboard.
　　
Conclusion: when selecting the RAID mode, the price of the entire machine and the final usage of this machine are determined based on the customer's needs.