What Is a Disk Array?
A disk array is a system designed to manage multiple hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) collectively, functioning as a unified, high-capacity storage unit.
Such systems are essential in environments requiring efficient handling of vast data quantities, including servers, storage area networks (SANs), and network-attached storage (NAS) systems. Disk arrays facilitate not just storage but also the effective management of data.
They operate primarily through RAID (redundant array of independent disks) controllers, which orchestrate data distribution, storage redundancy, and performance optimization across the array. The adoption of disk arrays brings benefits like enhanced data redundancy—protecting against data loss, improved system performance through distributed data access, scalability—allowing for storage expansion as needs grow, and cost-effectiveness by leveraging multiple drives for comprehensive storage solutions.