How To Setup RAID 1 To Next Level Data Redundancy

Have you ever thought on how to setup RAID 1? Setting up RAID 1 can be scary, but fret not! We listed all of the process you need to do in a friendly way.
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  • Posted Monday September 21, 2020
  • 4:07 am

Raid 1 (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) refers to mirroring. In simpler terms it writes identical data across all the stacks of disks in the raid 1 providing the vital benefits of data redundancy, resilience, and fault tolerance.

RAID 5 too offers the fault tolerance features, but instead of mirroring it uses the striping method to distribute the data across multiple storage devices.

Unlike raid 0 stripes and parity are absent with this type of raid, it is a seamless and optimized version from the other RAID levels.

Key points before configuring RAID 1


Key Points Before Configuring Raid 1 | Ttr Data Recovery

  • Back up
    Your important files and media before you begin so that nothing is lost. Without a backup, even the most prudent methods are susceptible to vanishing in thin air. In case you want some existing files from the previous drives on the array to be installed, create a back up in an external location, and then restore it after the array is installed.
  • Like the raid 0
    It is not as important to use the drives of the same type and model in a raid 1 but requires the interface to be the same. One of the most essential things to do next is to make sure is whether the motherboard supports the Raid 1.
  • Check if there is a built-in raid controller
    In your motherboard after going through the manuals. If you are using SSD’s it is essential to make sure that all the disks of the raid array are utilizing the latest firmware.
  • Windows don’t usually address
    The raid with its name, but opts for “storage spaces” instead. Though the function is indeed the same, it is important to see what the utility in the Windows operating system is addressed. Usually with Microsoft Windows the built-in raid utilities are also addressed with the same term.

Implementing the configuration- How to set up RAID 1

Implementing the configuration- How to set up RAID 1 | TTR Data Recovery

  • Connect the drive
    After confirming that the motherboard contains raid controllers or supports the drives, as soon as they are connected they will be detected by Windows.
  • Click on the Windows icon
    And search “Storage spaces” and start the utility.
  • Select
    “Create a new pool and storage space.”
  • Next you’ll be
    Led forward to administrator access
  • Select yes
    To proceed to the next step.
  • Next,
    A window with disks that are not formatted that can be utilized will be visible on the screen.
  • Click on the disks
    You want to select for the array and select “create pool.”
  • Storage spaces
    Lets you create a pool with any connected hard drives in the system that aren’t formatted.
  • Make sure to set a name
    And a drive letter to the pool and it will appear in the drive label.
  • Click on NTFS
    For the file system.
  • If you prefer to use
    The resilience characteristic in Windows, click on the “two-way mirror”, which is parallel to raid 1.
  • When you are done,
    To create the array, select “storage space”.
  • If you want to use
    The raid 1 functionality, in the storage space option, click on “Two-way mirror”

Assuming if a person prefers to disconnect the array, go to the storage space you want to disconnect and click “delete”. On the other hand, if the person wishes to remove the pool, that can be done by removing all the storage spaces in the array.

How do you know if raid 1 is configured?

How Do You Know If Raid 1 Is Configured | Ttr Data Recovery

Once you are done with the configuration process, it is important to figure out whether it was successful to move ahead with your daily business operations.

  • Right-click
    On the computer icon
  • Click on
    “Manage” and expand to “diagnostics”
  • Next
    Select “device manager”
  • Select the
    “Expand disk drives” option which is visible amid the pane

The drives are said to be successfully configured only if they have “virtual disk” or “SCSI disk device” as their name.

The software or hardware is said to be absent or not configured in the operating system if the drives are named after the model number or the manufacturer of the hard drive.

When you reboot Windows, the best way to see the status is to check out the setup screen, which usually contains tools to gauge where the problem lies. Hence, you are a step closer to how to solve the problem.

One can use the manual for other ways to check the condition and whereabouts of the raid array in case of problems/damage depending on the type of system or computer you are using.

How do you set up raid from an existing drive?

How do you set up raid from an existing drive | TTR Data Recovery

How to setup RAID 1 from an existing drive? You need an additional empty hard disk, the same size, or larger the size of the current disk. Or else, you need to have a new hard drive in case increased redundancy and better performance are key elements to what you are looking for.

  • Check your motherboard
    For raid controllers and plug in your hard drives
  • Create a backup
    Of all the relevant files to avoid data loss and reboot the computer.
  • The next step
    Is to install the new hard drive and then reinstall the system
  • Restore
    The relevant files from the previous hard drives back into the new raid setup

The Windows operating system is adjustable by using the raid 1 mirroring system, which allows you to keep data from half the mirror intact while you delete the other half.

You can create data or files from the current stacks that contain data.

How to figure out that the raid drive has failed?

How To Figure Out That The Raid Drive Has Failed | Ttr Data Recovery

A lot of speculations arise when there is a sudden shutdown, making it key to understand whether the drive has failed or is it the result of some other factor. The most uncomplicated way is to unplug it one by one and try to reboot the computer.

It is still functioning well if the computer continues to boot. And if that’s not the case, the disk has failed and further one needs data recovery services to bring their files back to life. Hence, a backup from time to time is significant to prevent a sudden deletion of the relevant files.

In case of a drive failure, a BIOS system in Windows usually informs the system if something is falling apart. Besides that, using the disk utility function on the system proves to be vital to know the status of the drive.

It is possible to access the hard drives during reconstructing it, but it is recommended that the process should not be interrupted to avoid any roadblocks in the performance.

To make these strenuous tasks easier for you, it is important to reach out to professional data recovery services for professional help with an extra hand regarding data protection in raid 1.

At TTR data recovery, professional monitoring and quality RAID recovery services are what we aim for.

How to set up raid 1 for small businesses?

How to set up raid 1 for small businesses | TTR Data Recovery

Small businesses usually look for a cost-effective way to not only improve their performance and speed but also data protection. A raid 1 can be the perfect solution to the needs of such enterprises.

A minimum of two drives is required for the raid 1 setup, whereas raid 5 requires a minimum of 3 disks. The number of drives combined can be further added to increase speed and efficiency in business operations. Still making it a cheaper alternative for small businesses as compared to the other options.

Mirroring has its benefits as since the same data is copied on the array if one drive fails, the other drives continue to read/ write. The Windows operating system will show an alert on the screen in case of a failure but you can continue working with the operating files, making raid 1 an optimized and uncomplicated option. In the background, the operating system will continue to boot from the other working disks and copy the data on them to ensure nothing is lost.

Since all the blocks in raid 1 are mirrored, if one drive gets corrupted, the next thing you know is data on all the drives are corrupted. The mirroring system in a raid 1 cannot be an alternative for a backup. Ultimately, a backup is crucial before setting up new disks in the Windows system.

In case a drive fails, the other drives still perform the read and write functions and business continuity is not compromised with. As soon as the new one is installed in the array, the information will be reconstructed in the raid 1 stack itself. Though large scale enterprises where roadblocks in important tasks cannot function with the time taken to swap disks.

If speed is a vital feature for your business then it is important to note that if you are using the disks of dissimilar natures to configure in the same stack, the speed of the fastest disks will be set to the speed of the slowest one, for it to complete its read and write functions which makes slower than raid 0.

Also…

The process of mirroring reduces the storage space into half, which makes setting up raid 1 more expensive than the raid 0 if additional storage space is a chief component to your business.

When a system fails, it’s obvious to lose sleep over the impermanence of your crucial business information. It is prime to make sure to use a suitable option according to your business needs.

Tommy Kh | Ttr Data Recovery

About the Author
Tommy Khamoushi, Data Recovery Expert

Tommy Khamoushi is an IACRB-certified Data Recovery Engineer and a Certified Forensic Computer Investigator. He has more than 20 years of experience in data recovery including providing technical support for the House of Representatives.

Tommy leads a team of data recovery engineers and experts at TTR Data Recovery to recover highly sensitive data for government agencies like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and enterprise businesses using advanced and proprietary techniques and processes.

Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn.