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Recovers all types of corrupted RAID arrays
Last updated: Feb 23, 2024

RAID 5 vs RAID 10: which one is better for you?

Here you will find out:

  • comparison between RAID 5 vs RAID 10
  • which one of the RAID is better for you

Are you ready? Let's read!

What is RAID 5

RAID 5 is a configuration that consists of at least three hard drives with information and parity data striped across each of them. This implies that data is divided into equal-sized pieces and dispersed in a logical order throughout the array. The parity data is then gathered, split apart, and disseminated. This information will be used by the array to compute and retrieve any information that is lost if one of the hard drives fails.

Example:

A RAID 5 array employs three hard drives in its simplest configuration and distributes data according to the user's preferences. Assume you choose to split files in half and fill your array with three files of equal size labeled "A," "B," and "C." This is what your array would look like:

Disk 1Disk 2Disk 3
File A1File A2Parity A
File B1Parity BFile B2
Parity CFile C1File C2

In order to safeguard the data on each hard drive, we forfeit space equal to one hard disk with this design. As you can see, if one of the drives dies, the files are either unaffected or the parity data is available to recreate what has been lost.

Advantages of RAID 5

  • The read speed for RAID 5 is fast.
  • Comes with data redundancy due to parity.
  • The setup is stable.
  • A failed drive can be rebuilt in a timely manner.
  • A good amount of storage space.
  • Drives can be hot-swapped to prevent downtime.

Disadvantages of RAID 5

  • All data is lost if two drives fail simultaneously.
  • The parity drive makes write speeds slower.
  • Data restoration can be slow.
What is RAID 5? Learn more!

What is RAID 10

A mix of RAID 0 and RAID 1, RAID 10 has the advantages of disk striping and drive security as well. Instead of collecting Parity Data, this security is achieved by mirroring, or making an exact copy of each storage disk on separate mirror drives. A minimum of four disks are needed for RAID 10 to work, and additional drives must be connected in pairs. Data is first striped across storage devices in the array, then it is mirrored onto mirror drives to produce two completely identical disks.

Example:

A RAID 10 arrangement, as previously indicated, necessitates at least four drives: two for storage and striping, and two for mirroring. Using a common setup and a scenario similar to the one described above, we may observe something like this:

Storage Disk 1Storage Disk 2
File A1File A2
File B1File B2
Mirror Disk 1Mirror Disk 2
File A1File A2
File B1File B2

It immediately becomes clear that no matter how many disk pairings you have, you will always only have half the storage. The benefit, on the other hand, is that a faulty drive may be swiftly replaced, and data can be transferred from another disk. Furthermore, because all drives may be accessed at the same time, a RAID 10 array provides practically unrivaled reading rates.

Advantages of RAID 10

  • Has extremely fast read and write performance since all operations occur in parallel to one another on separate drives.
  • Drives can be hot-swapped to prevent downtime.
  • Can recover extremely fast from a failed state.
  • Has extremely high fault tolerance as it can withstand multiple disks failing.

Disadvantages of RAID 10

  • Is expensive as it has inefficient storage space due to mirroring.

RAID 5 vs RAID 10 Comparison Chart

RAID 5RAID 10
Basic Function/Key FeatureDisk Striping With Parity Check SystemCombines Disk Striping With Mirroring
Storage Disks Required3 or More4
Storage Capacity60-75% or 1 Drive Worth of Space is Lost50%
Parity Check SystemYes – Parity – Single DiskNo Parity Check System
Fault ToleranceYes – 1 Drive Can FailMultiple Drives Can Fail
Data RecoveryYes – Using the Parity Check SystemYes – 100% Redundancy
Overall CostExpensiveVery Expensive
Disk Read PerformanceFairly QuickFantastic Performance
Disk Write PerformanceSlowExcellent Performance
Write Penalty?Yes – Slightly Due to Writing to the Parity BlockNo.
Appropriate PurposeA Balance Between Speed & Data SecurityWhen You Need Fast Read/Write Speeds & Fast Failure Recovery

Comparison RAID 5 vs RAID 10

RAID 5 vs RAID 10 array

Both arrays have their own distinctive qualities, which can either be a disadvantage or a positive side and here are their features:

1. Data location and storage mechanism:

  • RAID 5: data are located everywhere, like in RAID 0 + distributed storage of codes parity for data recovery in case of failures.
  • RAID 10: all data are divided into 2 poles of 2 disks + mirroring of these disks.

2. Fault tolerance:

  • RAID 5: only one drive may be damaged.
  • RAID 10: due to mirroring, fault tolerance is high - you just need to copy from any other working drive. This is very useful for corporations.

3. Read and write speed:

  • RAID 5: high speed read, write fast enough, but not so fast.
  • RAID 10: both at the highest level.

4. The required number of disks RAID 10 vs RAID 5:

  • RAID 5: three
  • RAID 10: four

5. The speed of recovery and rebuild of an array if it is damaged RAID 5 vs. 10:

  • RAID 5: slow
  • RAID 10: fast

You can still raise the issue of price, RAID 5 will be a more budget option.

How files can be recovered from RAID 5 or RAID 10

DiskInternals RAID Recovery will help you with this problem, as it is the leading professional application in today's market. Without exaggeration, this is a unique rescue application that handles file recovery from any array configuration. The utility works on all versions of Windows XP-10 and Windows 2003-2019 Server. It recovers files from Microsoft RAID software, including JBOD (span), RAID 0, 1, and 5. When working with the array, Windows restrictions are completely ignored. This RAID software freeware options of preview can he;p you to recover lost data fast and easily!

There is also contact with Unicode file names and multi-level folders. Any virtual disk can be mounted as a local disk for ease of viewing in Windows. In all incomprehensible situations, the built-in friendly recovery wizard will help to understand.

DiskInternals RAID Recovery helps you to be confident and feel safe; the same applies to your data!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is RAID 5 not preferable to RAID 10?

RAID 5 isn't recommended because it relies solely on distributed parity and lacks mirroring and redundancy. This implies that if one hard drive disk fails, the entire array is at danger, and data recovery becomes time-consuming and difficult. RAID 5 performance is also poorer when compared to RAID 10, which offers 100 percent redundancy.

Is Performance Better in RAID 10 than in RAID 5?

Yes, since it combines the disk striping and mirroring characteristics of RAID levels 0 and 1. By striping volume data over many disks in your array, RAID 10 improves fault tolerance and speed.

How Many Hard Drives Do You Need in RAID 5 vs. 10?

A minimum of three hard disks are required for a RAID 5 setup. A minimum of four disks is required for RAID 10.

Do I Need to Back My Data Up If Using RAID?

While most RAID levels provide considerable fault tolerance, they are not a substitute for routine backups. This is because any RAID design might cause all of your data to be lost if a hard disk fails. If you have vital data, it's always a good idea to employ traditional backups.

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