The difference between RAID 5 and 6 is that is uses two independent parity functions, written across the array separately.
RAID 6 is also known as double-parity RAID and requires a minimum of four disks. However if two drives fail, your data is still safe – unlike RAID 5. RAID 6 write operations are slightly slower as it has to write an additional parity block.
Pros
+ RAID 6 drastically reduces the risk of data loss
+ It is easy to configure on any server or operating system
+ Supports double-parity isolating the backup drives unless required
+ Reading speed is increased for many drives
Cons
x It has a slower write speed
x Space efficiency is low (only 50% for 4 drives)
x More expensive as it requires two backup drives
The process of configuring RAID 6 varies depending on the operating system, but it is well documented and easy to configure. In a world where malware and cyber-attacks are frequent, RAID 6 offers administrators that ‘peace of mind’.
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