RAID Best Practices — Reliable and Efficient Arrays

RAID reduces downtime from drive failures, but it is not a backup. Use these practices to avoid surprises, and confirm capacity choices with the RAID Calculator.

  1. Keep real backups. RAID does not protect against deletion, ransomware, or site loss.
  2. Use the right disk count. RAID 5 needs ≥3. RAID 6 is safest with ≥6. RAID 10 needs an even number.
  3. Monitor SMART and alerts. Replace suspect disks early. Automate alerts via your NAS or OS.
  4. Standardize hardware. Same model and firmware reduces edge cases during rebuilds.
  5. Document configuration. Record stripe size, block size, controller settings, and cabling.
  6. Test rebuild expectations. Know how long a rebuild takes for your capacity and workload.
  7. Plan maintenance windows. Rebuilds and expansions are safest during low I/O periods.
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