What is a software RAID?

Software RAID is a form of RAID (redundant array of independent disks) performed on the internal server. RAID is a data protection method that spreads data on multiple hard disks, balancing overlapping I/O operations, improving performance and increasing the mean time between failures.

What are the disadvantages of RAID 5 configurations?

RAID 5 makes you lose the amount of disk space equivalent to the capacity of one of the hard disks included into the array. For example, three hard disks of 500 GB each make 1,500 GB (or about 1.5 TB) of storage space when put together. If three hard disks of 500 Gb each were configured as RAID 0 (striping) the total amount of storage space will be 1,500 GB. But if the three disks are configured as a RAID 5 volume (striping with parity), the useful storage space will only be 1,000 GB instead of 1,500 GB, because 500 Gb (the equivalent of one disk in terms of disk space) will be used for parity. Also, when two or more hard disks fail at one time, all volume data will become inaccessible.

Can I recover data from a formatted RAID 5 volume?

In many cases, the way how disks were formatted can determine your chances of recovery. For example, formatting a volume with Windows will create a new “clean” volume, but the original data will remain on the disk, in the area believed to be as “free and available.” However, low-level formatting (usually performed with the RAID controller firmware) will overwrite every single block of the hard disk.

Can I use special utilities to recover data from a RAID volume?

The safest approach to data recovery from RAID (or from any other media) is to capture every storage block separately on every device. The disk images obtained this way can be used for rebuilding the initial array structure and recovering required files and folders. This approach reduces further interaction with the media and helps to preserve the integrity of the original device. Always make sure that the utility you decided to use supports your RAID type and its file system.

If a RAID 5 volume won’t mount, should I re-create it anew?

If a single disk fails in a RAID 5 system, the volume itself continues to work, but in a degraded condition (it no longer writes parity data). You should immediately back up important data and check if such backups are accessible before you start any recovery operations. When it concerns important information, any steps involving read or write operations on the original volume pose a certain risk. If you are sure that the equipment works properly and all other disks within this volume are fine, you can try and rebuild the volume. But if you’re not sure, please don’t.

How to Create Software RAID in Windows Server

Read this article to find out how to create software RAID in Windows Server. We describe methods of creating RAID inside Windows Server and with the help of Intel Rapid Storage Technology.

Contents

In one of our previous articles, we explored what is RAID, how to build a computer for RAID systems, and how to create such a system using the BIOS features integrated into your motherboard. In today’s article, you will read how to create a RAID system within the operating system Windows Server with a graphical interface.

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Creating a RAID array in Windows Server

It is very easy to create a software RAID array in Windows Server. First of all, you should decide what RAID type you want and make sure you have the sufficient number of disks to use with that type. Once you’ve settled this issue, start configuring the RAID system.

I’ll show you how to create a RAID 5 array, but setting up other RAID types is very similar except for certain architectural differences, so this example is quite versatile.

Open Disk Management by right-clicking on the Strat button and choosing this line from the list.

With built-in operating system tools, you can create a RAID 0 (striped volume), RAID 1 (mirrored volume), RAID 5 and JBOD (spanned volume) array. To create the RAID type you want in Disk Management, right-click on one of the unallocated disks and choose the type you prefer.

Add all necessary disks and click Next.

Assign a drive letter to the new volume and format it.

When the New Volume wizard closes, there will be a message saying that disks need to be converted, which will erase all data irreversibly. As the disks used in our example are empty, click «Yes».

If you have any important or necessary data on your disks, save it elsewhere before you proceed.

After the disks are converted and RAID 5 is created, the resynching process starts. It can be quite long and the actual time needed to complete all operations depends largely on disk capacity.

When resynching is finally over, your RAID system is ready to use.

Such method for creating a RAID array is also available in Windows 10, and an alternative solution could be using the option «Manage Storage Spaces».

Check another article in our blog to read more about creating a software RAID system in Windows 10.

How to create a RAID system with the help of Intel Rapid Storage Technology

Also, there are special utilities to help you create and maintain a RAID array. For example, Intel Rapid Storage Technology.

Download, install and start the application.

The «Status» menu displays the condition of the system and your disks.

The «Create» menu lets you set up a RAID system consisting of your disks.

Click “Create” and select your RAID type. You are free to choose between flexible data protection, RAID 1, 0, 5 and 10. There is a brief description for every type. Select the one you prefer and click Next.

Give the volume name and select the disks that will make up your RAID. Check the disks and settings you need and click Next again. Configure advanced settings if necessary. I leave «default settings» for Volume Size and Array allocation.

You will see the warning that «This action will permanently delete existing data on the following disks…». If you have any important data there, save it to another location before you move on.

Check the option «Proceed with deleting data» and click Create Volume.

The volume is created. However, the utility informs you that it’s necessary to partition the new volume with Disk management before adding any data there.

That is why you need to open Disk Management. Immediately, you are informed that the disk must be initialized for Logical Disk Manager to access it. Select partition style and click «OK».

Right-click on the disk and select «New Simple Volume». Follow the wizard directions.

Now your RAID system is ready to use.

When you open Windows Explorer, you can see the new disk.

The utility shows that the disk is still being initialized – the duration of this process depends on disk capacity.

Using this tool makes it much easier to monitor your RAID status, And should any of the disks within this system fail, you will notice it at once. This utility lets you see which particular disk has failed by using its serial number. On every disk, there is a sticker with that number.

In the «Settings» tab, you can configure notifications in case of any problems and even specify an email address to send notifications automatically,