Understanding RAID level-x0

RAID level-10 example

Start with six physical drives.

Create three arrays (labeled A, B, and C), each array using two physical drives.

Then create a spanned array (labeled as *) that spans the three arrays.

A sub-logical drive is created within each array (A, B, and C). Then the data is striped across the physical drives in the array, creating blocks.

Notice that, in each array, the data on the drive on the right is a copy of the data on the drive on the left. This is because the sub-logical drives (A, B, and C) are RAID level-1 in a RAID level-10 implementation (see the following table).

Then create a logical drive within the spanned array (*).

The data is striped across this logical drive, creating blocks ( 1- 12). Notice that none of these blocks are redundant. This is because the logical drive is RAID level-0 in a RAID level-x0 implementation (see the following table).

With RAID level-10, 1E0, and 50, if one of the physical drives fails in a sub-logical drive, the ServeRAID controller switches read and write requests to the remaining functional drives in the sub-logical drive. With RAID level-60, if one or two of the physical drives fails in a sub-logical drive, the ServeRAID controller switches read and write requests to the remaining functional drives in the sub-logical drive. With RAID level-00, a physical drive failure within the sub-logical drive results in loss of data.