RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, was developed to help businesses more affordably make their critical data safer, safeguard against operational interruptions and increase overall computing system performance. This is done by combining, either via software or hardware, several independent hard disks into one logical disk. Although RAIDs offer several benefits over singular hard drive systems, they still suffer serious failures and are more difficult to recover files from.
What is the Achilles Heel of RAIDs and Why Do They Fail?
RAIDs are largely used because they are “fault tolerant,” or able to continue operating even though one drive fails. When a drive does fail, it is simply “swapped out” for another while the system continues to run. Unfortunately, RAIDs’ Achilles heel is that they are only able to handle the failure of one drive. Of course, many times, multiple drives fail all at once and this is the primary source of their problems. The causes of RAID problems generally fall under three categories:
- √ Hardware Failures: Component malfunctions or failures; power surges; power supply failures; fire or water damage; and manufacturer defects.
- √ Software Problems: Corrupted firmware; file corruption; worms and viruses; repartitioning; and formatting.
- √ Human-Related Factors: Accidental deletions; sabotage by employees; and forgotten or lost passwords.
If My RAID System Fails, What Should I Do?
There are some important steps you can take to mitigate your potential data losses and facilitate recovery if your RAID system ever fails. These include, among other things:
- √ Refraining from Running CHKDSK because it may hinder your chances of full recovery.
- √ Turning off your system as soon as you notice any unusual noises in order to limit additional damage.
- √ Do not attempt to fix, use recovery software, or otherwise work on your damaged RAID.
- √ Before removing them from your system, label your drives with their position number.
- √ Contact us as soon as you can, so we can get you back in operation.
RAID systems are exceedingly complex, so when they malfunction or fail it is essential that you hire the right professionals for the job. Our company is highly respected by manufacturers and IT companies alike, and our professionals have extensive training and experience in successfully dealing with RAID systems. Call us today to solve your complex IT issues.