Advanced Storage Configurations

RAID, Encryption, and SSD Health

An overview of specialized configurations, including RAID for performance and redundancy, full-disk encryption like BitLocker, and best practices for maintaining SSD health.
Author

Chuck Nelson

Published

October 22, 2025

1 Purpose

Beyond simply storing files, modern storage systems can be configured to enhance performance, protect against data loss, secure data from unauthorized access, and intelligently manage the hardware’s lifespan. This document introduces you to these advanced configurations, which are critical for building robust and reliable systems for professional and enthusiast users.

2 What You’ll Learn

By the end of this reading, you will be able to:

  • Differentiate between RAID 0 (Striping) and RAID 1 (Mirroring) and their use cases.
  • Explain the difference between hardware RAID and software RAID.
  • Describe the purpose of Full-Disk Encryption (FDE) and the role of a TPM chip.
  • Define SSD over-provisioning and the importance of the TRIM command for SSD health.

This reading maps to the following program and course learning outcomes:

  • Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
    • 3. Apply terminology and numeric or system concepts: This document defines the concepts of RAID levels, encryption, and SSD wear management.
    • 6. Maintain environment: Understanding these configurations is key to maintaining high-performance and high-availability systems.
  • Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):
    • 4. Configure hardware and basic network components: Setting up RAID and enabling encryption are advanced configuration tasks.

This exercise develops the following skills, which align with the O*NET SOC Code 15-1232.00 for Computer User Support Specialists.

Learning Objective O*NET KSAs Technologies Used
Choose a RAID level for a specific need. Knowledge: Computers & Electronics
Skills: Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis		 RAID, Storage Spaces
Explain the function of FDE and TPM. Knowledge: Computers & Electronics, Telecommunications
Skills: Reading Comprehension		 BitLocker, TPM

3 RAID: Combining Disks

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a technology that combines multiple physical drives into one or more logical units to improve performance, provide data redundancy, or both. Here are the most common simple RAID levels:

3.1 RAID 0: Striping for Performance

In a RAID 0 configuration, data is split and written across two or more drives simultaneously.

  • Analogy: Imagine dealing a deck of cards to two people at once. You finish dealing much faster because you’re using two hands.
  • Benefit: Speed. The read and write performance is nearly doubled (with two drives) because both drives are working in parallel.
  • Drawback: No Redundancy. If a single drive in the array fails, all data is lost because every file is split between the drives. RAID 0 is best for non-critical data, like video editing scratch disks or game installation folders, where performance is the top priority.

3.2 RAID 1: Mirroring for Redundancy

In a RAID 1 configuration, all data is written identically to two drives at the same time, creating an exact mirror.

  • Analogy: Writing a document while a live photocopier creates an identical copy on a second piece of paper.
  • Benefit: Redundancy. If one drive fails, the system can continue running without interruption using the second drive. The failed drive can be replaced, and the mirror can be rebuilt.
  • Drawback: No Performance Gain and 50% Capacity Loss. You only get the storage capacity of one of the drives. A RAID 1 array with two 2TB drives provides only 2TB of usable storage.

3.3 Hardware vs. Software RAID

  • Hardware RAID: Uses a dedicated RAID controller card installed in a PCIe slot. This card has its own processor to manage the RAID array, so it doesn’t burden the system’s CPU. It is faster and more reliable, especially during a drive failure, but it is also more expensive.
  • Software RAID: Uses the computer’s operating system and CPU to manage the array (e.g., using Storage Spaces in Windows or mdadm in Linux). This is a cost-effective way to implement RAID, but it is slower than hardware RAID and can be more complex to recover if the operating system itself fails.

4 Full-Disk Encryption (FDE)

Full-Disk Encryption is a security measure that automatically encrypts all data stored on a drive. If the drive is lost or stolen, the data is unreadable without the correct key.

  • Examples: The most common example in Windows is BitLocker. In Linux, a popular tool is LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup).

4.1 The Role of the TPM (Trusted Platform Module)

If you enable BitLocker, you might be asked if you want to use a TPM. A TPM is a small, dedicated security chip on the motherboard. Its purpose is to handle cryptographic operations and securely store sensitive information, like encryption keys.

When used with BitLocker, the TPM stores the disk encryption key. On boot, it checks that the computer’s hardware hasn’t been tampered with. If everything is secure, it automatically releases the key to unlock the drive. This provides seamless security: your data is protected, but you don’t have to type a password every time you boot. If the drive is moved to another computer, the TPM is no longer present, and the drive will not unlock without a special recovery key.

5 Managing SSD Lifespan

Unlike HDDs, SSDs have a finite lifespan based on the number of write operations their flash memory cells can endure. Modern SSDs have sophisticated features to manage this wear and ensure a long, reliable life.

  • Over-Provisioning: An SSD is sold with more physical storage capacity than is accessible to the user. For example, a 1TB SSD might have 1.1TB of actual flash memory. This extra space is called the over-provisioning area. The SSD’s controller uses these extra blocks to replace memory cells that have worn out, a process called wear leveling. This significantly extends the drive’s endurance.

  • The TRIM Command: When you delete a file in an operating system, the data isn’t actually erased; the space is just marked as available to be overwritten later. On an HDD, this is fine. On an SSD, this is a problem, because an SSD block must be erased before it can be written to again.

    The TRIM command allows the OS to actively tell the SSD which blocks contain invalid data (i.e., from deleted files). This allows the SSD’s controller to perform “garbage collection” in the background, erasing those blocks so they are ready for fast writes later. Without TRIM, SSD performance would degrade significantly over time as the drive becomes filled with invalid data. All modern operating systems enable TRIM automatically for SSDs.

6 Reflect and Review

ImportantReflection: 3-2-1

Now that you have reviewed this document, take a moment to reflect on your learning in your Microsoft Teams Student Notebook:

  • 3 advanced storage technologies discussed in this document.
  • 2 key differences between RAID 0 and RAID 1.
  • 1 question you still have about SSD wear leveling or TRIM.
TipCheck on Learning

Answer these questions in your notebook to solidify your understanding:

  1. A video editor needs the fastest possible storage for their active project files and doesn’t care about redundancy for that specific data. Which RAID level should they use?
  2. You are building a small file server that must remain online even if one of its two hard drives fails. Which RAID level is appropriate?
  3. What is the primary function of a TPM chip when used with BitLocker?
  4. Why is the TRIM command important for maintaining the long-term performance of an SSD?
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