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Software RAID vs hardware RAID

T

TheSpoon

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 6, 2004
Messages
431
Can someone explain the difference between the two? I've seen the RAID implementation of the nforce3 referred to as software RAID. Is this true and, if so, does it at all differ from just using a RAID driver and having no "RAID" controller whatsoever?
 
Alright, basically RAID can be done in three different ways.

1. Software RAID via OS or true software. There are operating systems and programs that provide RAID functions with software alone. Windows 2000 is one example. Obviously, they are OS specific and use your CPU to perform all of the calculations needed.
2. Software RAID via controller chip. Again, your CPU does the calculations, but the RAID array is set up with a controller chip in conjunction with a special "RAID BIOS." You still need drivers in order for the OS to recognize the array as a storage medium.
3. Hardware RAID. A small RISC processor performs RAID calculations, taking the load off the CPU. As I understand it, a hardware RAID controller is OS-blind, so you can use the array any time, anywhere.

Theoretically, all three should yield similar transfer speeds. CPU utilization will differ, for obvious reasons.

The nForce 3's implementation would fall under #2, by the way.
 
Interesting...thanks for that explanation. I assume pretty much all of the other RAID implementations that come with almost all modern motherboards are not true hardware solutions either?
 
Yes, that's right. In fact, only a few PCI/PCI-X RAID solutions--at least for ATA or Serial ATA--feature a RISC processor for RAID calculations.
 
no, there are quite a few to choose from when it comes to hardware raid. just the price difference between the cards are quite amazing =p
but hey, what you pay is what you get.
 
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