Larger file servers are an example. RAID Level 5 RAID Level 5 is similar to level 4, but distributes parity among the drives. This can speed small writes in multiprocessing systems, since the parity disk does not become a bottleneck. Because parity data must be skipped on each drive during reads, however, the performance for reads tends to be considerably lower than a level 4 array. The cost per megabyte is the same as for level 4.
Database servers are an example.
One of the best Web resources about RAID is Veritas's 45-page technology white paper called RAID for Enterprise Computing. She is a free-lance writer from Boston, Massachusetts. Kit EarthWeb is a division of INT Media Group, Incorporated. Copyright 2001 INT Media Group, Incorporated All Rights Reserved.