RAID 0 vs. RAID 1: Six Must-Know Facts

  • RAID 0 uses only striping, while RAID 1 uses only mirroring.
  • Both RAID 0 and RAID 1 require a minimum of two drives.
  • RAID 0 allows for multiple drives to stack into a single virtualized storage volume.
  • RAID 1 maintains an exact duplicate of the main drive on other drives in the array.
  • RAID 0 allows for faster performance and has less system cost.
  • Neither RAID 0 nor RAID 1 use parity code or a parity disk.

What Is RAID?

RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Independent/Inexpensive Disks. The simplest way to think about RAID is that it allows multiple hard drives to be coupled together as a single larger storage capacity drive.

Aside from creating a single larger storage capacity drive from multiple smaller drives, RAID can also be used for various performance tasks like mirroring for data redundancy and protection or striping across drives to increase write speed and read speed. This is done through RAID array levels that inform the RAID system on how to use the drives installed.

Here is a list of the RAID levels you can choose from:

  • RAID 0: Data striping with no mirroring or parity.
  • RAID 1: Data mirroring with no parity or striping.
  • RAID 2: Bit-level data striping with Hamming-code parity.
  • RAID 3: Byte-level data striping with dedicated parity.
  • RAID 4: Block-level striping with dedicated parity.
  • RAID 5: Block-level striping with distributed parity.
  • RAID 6: Block-level striping with double distributed parity.

If you’re unfamiliar with the terms used for data handling on RAID systems, here are a few quick definitions to get you up to speed.

RAID server
RAID allows multiple hard drives to be coupled together as a single larger storage capacity drive. This is a RAID server.

Striping

Striping is the process of writing file contents across multiple drives within an array.

Striping data is the base process that allows RAID arrays to form a single large storage capacity drive out of smaller drives. Put simply, it cuts files that need to be written to the array into small sections on the bit, byte, or block-level and writes them in pieces across each drive in the array. RAID 0 is the only RAID level to use striping with no parity or mirror function. This is useful for increasing storage capacity, but if a single drive in the array fails the entire set fails.

Disk Mirroring

Disk Mirroring is the process of replicating/cloning a logical disk volume onto separate storage drives in real-time.

Mirroring is a basic redundancy function that allows the user to maintain exact duplicates of an entire disk drive across as many other drives as needed in the RAID drive set in real-time. This process ensures that if one drive fails, there’s a complete backup to restore it with.

Parity

Parity is the simple error detection code used to confirm data integrity.

As striping data across multiple drives can lead to problems with heavy use, parity codes were created to help track data integrity. Different RAID levels use different parity methods.

What Is RAID 0?

The RAID 0 level is a simple setup that combines the storage disks into the array into a single logical drive. It writes and reads across the multiple drives through stripes of data. RAID 0 has no parity which means it is a quick and dirty way to make a pile of small hard drives into a single large capacity drive. Unfortunately, this means that if any drive fails the entire array fails.

The upside to a RAID 0 array is that it can greatly increase the performance of the read/write speeds of the drives in the array. As striping moves from one drive to another, it can break down the file content and save stripes simultaneously. The more drives in the array, the faster the write/read speeds.

Here are the key features of RAID 0:

  • High performance
  • Stripped volume with no fault tolerance
  • Two or more disks required
  • No parity disk
  • Inexpensive overall cost
Replacing the hard disk drive in a RAID configuration
This person is replacing the hard disk drive in a RAID configuration. Image: ArmoVision, Shutterstock

©ArmoVision/Shutterstock.com

What Is RAID 1?

RAID 1 is designed for mirroring/cloning an entire volume onto one or more other disks in real-time. It provides great data security and fault tolerance through data redundancy. If the original disk is damaged or fails in any way, it can be restored with a mirrored disk.

This array requires that each storage disk is at least as big as the smallest drive as it retains an exact copy of the original disk and requires the exact amount of space. If any drive in the array fails, it will continue to work properly. Failed drives should still be replaced to maintain data redundancy.

Here are the key features of RAID 1:

  • Volume mirroring with fault tolerance through redundancy
  • No parity disk
  • Two or more storage drives required
  • High data security
  • Can be expensive as each mirrored volume must be the same storage capacity as the original drive.

Similarities Between RAID 0 and RAID 1

Aside from both being RAID arrays, there are a few other similarities between the two. Both require at minimum 2 storage drives. Both use a singular method of RAID arrays, one uses only striping and one uses only mirroring. Neither use parity code nor require a parity disk.

While these similarities may lead some to believe that the two are interchangeable, the two arrays function completely differently.

RAID 0 vs. RAID 1: Side-by-Side Comparison

RAID 0RAID 1
What it is:RAID array levelRAID array level
Primary Use:Direct data management of disk drives
Direct data management of disk drives
Conceived:19871987
Initial Release:19881988
Technical Committee:David Patterson, Garth A. Gibson, Randy KatzDavid Patterson, Garth A. Gibson, Randy Katz
Open Format:YesYes
Technologies Influenced:Servers, Hard Drives, VirtualizationServers, Hard Drives, Virtualization

RAID 0

ProsCons
High performance (fast write speeds and read speeds)No parity
Stacks smaller drives into a single logical volumeNo data fault tolerance
Budget-friendlyOne disk failure leads to array data loss
Fastest RAID array

RAID 1

ProsCons
High data securityNo parity
Provides fault tolerance through data redundancyMore expensive than RAID 0
Drive failure does not lead to data loss and array failureNo performance improvement
Most overall cost fault-tolerant system

Differences Between Them

The largest of the differences between RAID 0 and RAID 1 comes down to their primary data storage functions. In other words, RAID 0 and RAID 1 handle storage drives completely differently. RAID 0 puts all of the drives in the RAID array into one single logical volume. That turns a set of small drives into a single large volume. RAID 1 copies a primary drive to one or more other drives in the array bit-for-bit in real-time.

The differences between these two functions alone make RAID 0 faster for read/write operations with a lower overall cost and RAID 1 a much safer option for data safety and integrity. For this reason, comparing the pros and cons of each array against the other isn’t the best way to decide which to use.

When to Use RAID 0 or RAID 1

RAID 0 is not generally recommended as it is the highest risk of an array failure. However, it can be useful for applications that require the fastest read/write speeds like 3D modeling or PC gaming. It can quickly turn a set of small drives into a single high-performance volume.

RAID 1 is a basic data security array that allows the user to copy the contents of the main drive in the array in real-time. This is perfect for applications that require high data security and fault tolerance like development and personal records.

RAID 0 vs. RAID 1: Pros and Cons Compared FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Which is better RAID 0 or RAID 1?

In terms of data read and write speed performance, RAID 0 is better. However, RAID 0 and RAID 1 are not meant for the same purpose. As RAID 0 is meant to run multiple drives as a single volume and RAID 1 is meant to create an exact duplicate of the main drive, they are hard to compare directly. It will come down to your individual application for which array level is better to use.

What’s the point of RAID 0?

RAID 0 is a quick and dirty way to make use of smaller drives as a single large volume. It increases the overall performance of the drives by striping data across each drive in the array. It’s great for creating a fast drive with a large storage capacity for gaming or quick loading home computer applications. As home computers have much less traffic than servers, a RAID 0 array can be more dependable for simple uses.

When should I use RAID 1?

If you need to maintain an exact copy of your hard drive, RAID 1 is the best bet. It clones your drive in real-time so that any changes are immediately saved across multiple drives. If you’re using your RAID setup to store important project files, RAID 1 can help you keep an extra copy just in case.

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