RTX430-3QR User Manual
6
2 Introduction to RAID
A RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is an array of multiple hard drives that are combined
in a way that provides faster performance and/or data safety. Your RTX unit is capable of creating and
managing several different varieties of RAID. You may choose your preferred RAID level based on factors
such as disk capacity, desired data safety, and desired performance.
2.1 Summary of RAID Levels
The RTX430-3QR enclosure supports RAID Levels 0, 1, 5, and 10. RAID Level 5 is most commonly
used by those seeking an optimal balance of speed and data safety.
RAID
Level
Description
Required No.
of Drives*
Data
Redundancy
0
Also known as striping. Data is distributed across multiple drives in
the array. There is no data protection.
2
No data protec-
tion
1
Also known as mirroring. All data is replicated on two separate
disks. This is a high-availability solution, but due to the 100%
duplication, only half the total disk capacity is available for data
storage.
2
1 drive
5
Also known as Block-Interleaved Distributed Parity. Data and par-
ity information is subdivided and distributed across all disks. Can
withstand the failure of one drive. The total capacity of all but one
of the drives is available for data storage.
3
1 drive
10
Also known a stripe of mirrors. Data is striped across two separate
disks and mirrored to another disk pair.
4
1 drive**
** The RAID level becomes available as a menu option when exactly these numbers of hard drives are installed inside of the RTX enclosure.
**If both drives in either the RAID 0 or RAID 1 set fail, then the entire RAID will fail. If only one drive in each of the RAID 0 and RAID 1 sets
fail, then the RAID is preserved.
2.2 Hot Spares (Host Standby)
Hot spares are drives connected as part of your RAID and are switched into operation when a drive
fails. RAID 5 will support hot spares when configured with three hard drives (displayed as a “RAID5
3d” on the LCD Display). When a drive fails, the RTX enclosure will immediately rebuild the RAID.
After that a new drive will need to be inserted in place of the failed one. Replacement drives should
preferably be the same model and capacity as the other drives in the RAID.
3 Setup Steps
3.1 Drive Installation
a. Pull the ejection handle on the TrayFree bay to open the bay door.
b. Insert a SATA hard drive into the bay. Make sure it is label-side up with the SATA connection on
the drive inserted first toward the rear of the enclosure.
c. Shut the bay door and repeat these steps for as many bays as you have hard drives for.
