What is SCSI & RAID

Computers have really affected the life of people. There are so many things that have become easier because of the introduction of computer. However, it is essential to know the basic concepts associated with the functionality of computers to make a better use of it. Among many other concepts, SCSI RAID is quite important. To move any further, it is essential to know something more about the two concepts, separately.

SCSI:
Anyone who uses computers understands the need of using peripheral devices with computers. Peripheral devices are those which are used to enhance the functionality of a computer. Printers and scanners are couple of good examples of peripheral devices. However, when you need to connect and transfer data between your computer and peripheral devices such as printers, you require a set of standards. This set of standards is known as SCSI or Small Computer System Interface.

Generally, SCSI is used for hard disks, but, you can see its use in different other devices as well. It is essential to mention here that SCSI is the form of SASI. It was to provide control between a host computer and hard drive’s low level interface. However, SCSI is getting used in most computer systems these days. In fact, some of the big names are using them not only for their computer lines, but, also for their PC server systems.

Because of different designs, there are few types of SCSI. There is SPI which is known for its parallel electrical bus design and there is SAS which in now in use in place of SPI. SAS uses a serial point to point design. Also, different types of interfaces come in different widths and specifications.

RAID:
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks is the full form of RAID. It is also known as Redundant Array of Independent Disks because it is all about using two hard drives at a same time to achieve certain degree of reliability and data storage, of course.

Actually, RAID is used to make two or more hard drives act as single logical unit and this is done with the help of some hardware or software. Software and hardware is used in a way that operating system takes these set of drives as a single unit while transferring and recovering data from any of them. It is worth mentioning that there are different RAID levels that are available today. However, these levels start from 0 to 5 and known as the most basic ones.

When you use hardware to manage RAID subsystem, then the concept of SCSI RAID comes into the picture. When you use hardware RAID, it helps to span RAID Subsystem over multiple SCSI channels. Actually, different RAID subsystem is connected to the host using SCSI controllers and that makes RAID subsystem to look like a single logical unit.

SCSI RAID is an important concept that is helping people in terms of using different hard drives in an easy way with greater reliability, dependability and high level of performance as well.