RAID Type Number of
Disks
Description Compatibility
RAID 0 2 or more • Disks are combined together using
striping.
• RAID 0 offers the fastest read/write
speeds and uses the total capacity of all
the disks.
• RAID 0 provides no disk failure
protection. This RAID type must be
paired with a data backup plan.
• RAID 0 is recommended for high
performance applications such as video
editing.
• TR-002
• TR-004
RAID 1 2 • An identical copy of data is stored on two
disks. If either disk fails, data can still be
read from the other disk.
• Half of the total disk capacity is lost, in
return for a high level of data protection.
• RAID 1 is recommended if you have two
disks.
Important
Deleting a RAID 1 group does not
format the drives.
• TR-002
• TR-004
RAID 5 3 or more • Data and parity information are striped
across all disks.
• The capacity of one disk is lost for parity.
This means that if any one disk fails, it
can be replaced and the data on it can be
restored.
• Striping means read speeds are
increased with each additional disk.
• RAID 5 is recommended for a good
balance between data protection and
speed.
TR-004
RAID 10 4 • Every two disks are paired using RAID 1
for failure protection. Then the pairs are
striped together using RAID 0.
• RAID 10 provides excellent random read/
write speeds and high failure protection,
but half the total disk capacity is lost.
• RAID 10 is recommended for application
or database storage.
TR-004
QNAP External RAID Enclosure User Guide
RAID Configuration 25