RAID Systems

RAID is a means of storing the same data in different places. It is redundantly saving data on multiple hard disks. We always recommend that you have a RAID system functioning. It provides peace of mind for both you and our technicians. For many years, RAID systems have saved our clients time and money by preserving their valuable data and keeping their systems up and running. We can make sure your existing system has RAID, or we can set it up for you if you do not yet have it. We always provide RAID when building our systems.

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, originally it was Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. Since hard disk prices are so low, we suggest either a RAID-1 or RAID-6. RAID functions by placing data on multiple disks. In this way I/O (input/output) operations can overlap in a balanced way, thereby improving performance. Since multiple disks increase the mean time between failures, storing data redundantly also increases fault tolerance.

RAID-1 is also known as disk mirroring and consists of at least two drives that duplicate the storage of data. Think about looking at a mirror, that is how the data gets duplicated. There is no striping. The read performance is improved since either disk can be read at the same time. Write performance is the same as single disk storage. RAID-1 provides the best performance and the best fault tolerance in a multi-user system.

RAID-6 functions differently, it uses block-level striping with double distributed parity. It offers extremely high fault tolerance and drive-failure tolerance. You can have two hard disks fail, and your system can still function.

Vertex Computer technicians can help you determine which RAID system is best for your needs. If you’re looking for performance, we help you use a SSD (Solid State Drive) for your OS (Operating System) while making sure you have RAID for data.

Dennis Laidler, Education Curator

Dennis Laidler, Education Curator

Potter Park Zoo

Thanks to Vertex Computer, tens of thousands of Potter Park Zoo visitors had a chance, this fall, to see our three Amur tiger cubs while they were in our nursery. The camera and computer system, donated by Vertex, allowed us to monitor the late stages of the mother tiger’s pregnancy and the birth of the cubs. Dr. Tara Harrison, the zoo’s veterinarian, was able to access the video feed from home which made it much easier to keep an eye on things. Having the Vertex video surveillance system helped save the life of the cubs. After the cubs were born, we used the Vertex system to monitor the cubs and mom. By the second day, it was obvious from the video feed that there was a problem. Closer examination by zookeepers and lab reports confirmed that the cubs had been born with pneumonia. They had to be pulled from their mom, given emergency medical treatment for several weeks and had to be hand-raised. All of us at the Potter Park Zoo are extremely grateful to the owner and staff of Vertex Computer. With their generous assistance and technical expertise, three highly endangered Amur tiger cubs are healthy, happy and give us hope that this species will survive.

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