Frequently Asked Questions
What RAID level should I choose for a database?
RAID 10 is the preferred choice. It provides fast reads and writes with no parity penalty and tolerates one failure per mirrored pair. RAID 5/6 suffer a write penalty due to parity updates.
Why does RAID 6 require at least 4 drives?
RAID 6 reserves two drives for parity, so at least 4 are required to have any meaningful data capacity beyond the parity overhead; most controllers enforce this floor directly.
What is the TB vs TiB difference in practice?
Drive makers define 1 TB = 10^12 bytes (decimal). OSes define 1 TiB = 2^40 bytes (binary). The ratio is ~0.909, so an 8 TB RAID shows as ~7.27 TiB in the OS.
Can I add drives to an existing RAID array to expand capacity?
Some controllers support online expansion. It is high-risk and takes many hours. Always take a full backup before expanding an array.
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This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on assumptions and may not reflect actual outcomes. Consult qualified professionals in relevant fields before making important decisions based on these results.