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Forum Discussion
X-RAID vs. 2xRAID-1
What are advantages/disadvantages of X-RAID over the configuration described here http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=72067: 2 volums of RAID 1. In the 1st case I'd have only one volume...
The configuration you linked to is sometimes called "jbod". You have two completely separate volumes of 2 TB each. You can use them anyway you want, and there is no failure protection. You can if you wish use backup jobs to regularly copy data from one to the other.
x-raid on an RN102 mirrors the two drives at a low level. All disk writes are automatically done twice, once to each drive. It is not identical to a backup job, as the files are not being read - just written twice. This cuts the amount of space in half (only one 2 TB volume). One benefit of x-raid is that you can expand the drives seamlessly. That is, if you buy 2 4TB drives in the future, you can insert one, wait to the NAS to resync, then insert the other. After the second resync the NAS will have grown to 4 TB. Your data can be accessed throughout this process, which is quite convenient. You can also replace a failed disk, without losing your ability to access the data.
If you are using your NAS only for backups, then either jbod or xraid will do. If you are using your NAS for primary storage, then xraid is better for most users.
Either way you need a backup on a different device if you truly want to protect your data from loss. Don't imagine that RAID ensures that your data safe - it does not.
x-raid on an RN102 mirrors the two drives at a low level. All disk writes are automatically done twice, once to each drive. It is not identical to a backup job, as the files are not being read - just written twice. This cuts the amount of space in half (only one 2 TB volume). One benefit of x-raid is that you can expand the drives seamlessly. That is, if you buy 2 4TB drives in the future, you can insert one, wait to the NAS to resync, then insert the other. After the second resync the NAS will have grown to 4 TB. Your data can be accessed throughout this process, which is quite convenient. You can also replace a failed disk, without losing your ability to access the data.
If you are using your NAS only for backups, then either jbod or xraid will do. If you are using your NAS for primary storage, then xraid is better for most users.
Either way you need a backup on a different device if you truly want to protect your data from loss. Don't imagine that RAID ensures that your data safe - it does not.
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