RAID-RT
In the world of data storage, the technology known as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) needs virtually no introduction - it is hard to think of a storage server without it! Without question, RAID is unarguably the most vital component of a storage server.
Conceptually, RAID is very simple. At its most basic, extra hard disks are added to a storage array to store additional information about the data residing there. If a disk failure or error occurs, the data stored on the array can easily be recovered from the redundant information stored in the system. Depending on the value of the data being stored, several different RAID levels are available to balance different levels of cost, performance and reliability needs.
When it comes to implementation, broadly speaking, there are two approaches – Hardware RAID and Software RAID. Hardware RAID uses Host Bus Adapters and is more robust and expensive compared to the traditional Software RAID bundled free with the Operating Systems. That is, until now, with the introduction of RAID-RT™ - the Robust Software RAID Technology inside StorTrends iTX Network Storage Software from AMI.
As the name implies, RAID-RT™ is a Software RAID solution ingrained with robust RAID technology. RAID-RT™ builds a rugged layered architecture around a high performance RAID core that is carefully designed to leverage the power and speed of present day multi-core host processors.
By utilizing the increased clock speed and multi-core architecture of current 64-bit server CPUs such as the Intel® Xeon™ processor and the increased L1 and L2 cache sizes of contemporary storage servers, RAID-RT™ delivers extreme high performance RAID beyond that of traditional Software and Hardware RAID solutions. RAID-RT™ also takes RAID clustering to new heights by implementing a complete Active/Active clustered RAID logic for shared disks.
- Robust Architecture
- Economical
- High Component Reliability
- Stellar Performance
- RAID Clustering
- Superior Manageability
RAID-RT™ differs from standard Software RAID in a number of significant ways. In contrast to older, less sophisticated Software RAID, RAID-RT™ is a complete solution, offering full hard disk status LED functionality and complete enclosure management. Moreover, because RAID-RT™ is a component of StorTrends iTX, it is completely integrated with the ManageTrends™ web-based GUI, which features an intuitive interface and configuration wizards to help manage RAID arrays, along with event notification and alerts.
In contrast to traditional Hardware RAID, RAID-RT™ offloads processing tasks and leverages multiple Hardware Accelerators instead of relying on a single Hardware RAID Host Bus Adapter (HBA) CPU. Because no hardware is added to the storage array with RAID-RT™, there are fewer points of failure, lower power consumption and no additional cost required to deploy it.
| Feature | RAID-RT™ | Hardware RAID | Software RAID |
| Cost | Low | High | Low |
| Performance | High | High | Low |
| Component Reliability | High | Low | High |
| Power Consumption | Lower | Higher | Lower |
| I/O Slot | Not Needed | Uses I/O Slot | Not Needed |
| CPU Utilization | Efficient | Less Efficient | High |
| Computational Accelerator | Yes | Yes | Not Always |
| Robust Error Recovery | Yes | Yes | No |
| Manageability | Excellent | Good | Poor |
| I/O Cache | Extreme Performance | Good Performance | Average Performance |
| RAID Clustering | Yes | Not Always | No |
Want to Learn More?
For more information about RAID-RT™ robust Software RAID technology featured in StorTrends iTX Network Storage Software, download the introductory whitepaper from our Storage Library. If you haven’t already registered on StorTrends.com, click here to register and get started accessing detailed information on StorTrends products, including whitepapers, technical briefs, case studies, and more. Also, Check out the RAID-RT™ introductory video in StorTrends TV for a discussion on the inner workings of RAID-RT™.