SCSI is the interface of choice for servers and high-end workstations, where both
performance and reliability are critical. One of the most important ways that performance,
data integrity and reliability are improved in modern PC systems is through the use of redundant
arrays of inexpensive disks, or RAID. This term simply refers to the use of
multiple hard disks in an array, with data spread across the disks. Accessing multiple
disks simultaneously allows for faster performance; the optional use of redundancy allows
for protection against hardware faults. You can read
all the details about RAID here.
Most higher-end RAID solutions use SCSI, so support for RAID is commonly found in SCSI
host adapters. In practice, these are not usually sold as "SCSI host adapters with
RAID support" but rather are considered as a separate product line: "SCSI RAID
controllers". For more information on RAID controllers, see this section. If purchasing a RAID
controller, be sure to read all RAID controller specifications carefully, in addition to
the information I just referenced--RAID cards vary widely in terms of features and
implementation requirements.
Next: Drivers and Compatibility Issues
