A disk data format is a standard method of writing data for RAID systems, maintained by SNIA. It defines how information is saved and allows for easy integration of new hardware and upgrades. RAID systems distribute information across multiple storage devices and can be cost-effective.
A disk data format is an agreed-upon standard method of writing data that has been established for information on a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). In essence, a disk data format is a list of instructions that dictate certain aspects of writing data to a disk so that the information contained on the disk can be retrieved by another program or hardware, even if it is unrelated to the program who originally put the data on the disk. While the term can be applied generically to all disks, it is used specifically when referring to a RAID storage system and is an integral part of the specifications for RAID systems followed by most industries and manufacturers. Without a disk data format set up for reading and writing data, different systems would not be able to work together, upgrades from one RAID configuration to another would be difficult or impossible, and all data lost on a single system they would have little chance of recovery from a third-party program. The actual disk data format specification for RAID drives is maintained by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), which is made up of different parties within the storage device industry that attempt to provide neutral standards so that no of technology that conforms to the standard will be unsupported.
A RAID system is a way of distributing information across a number of different storage devices, such as hard drives. All units are connected to a central processor, controller or computer and treated, from a user’s point of view, as if they were a single unit. Information in a single file that is saved in a RAID configuration can be spread across several drives. This method of implementing a storage system is usually very cost effective and can allow multiple systems to read and write data to disks simultaneously since, at any one time, multiple disks may be idle.
The disk data format defines a standard way of saving information in the RAID array. It includes information such as header record structure, block organization, elements to implement for error checking, and some common methods for redundancy. Using the disk data format, new hardware such as additional disk drives can be easily added to a RAID configuration with the knowledge that they can be integrated seamlessly regardless of hardware manufacturer or specification. It also means that hardware RAID can be easily moved from one system to another without having to convert the previously used disk data format.
A very convenient aspect of using SNIA standards is that a company can upgrade its RAID system and easily move all existing information to new hardware. This process, called migration, can be a potentially dangerous procedure for non-standardized hardware. Also, if any information is lost or damaged on a RAID array using the correct disk data format, utilities will have a better chance of reconstructing a large amount of that data and avoid a catastrophic complete data loss.
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