- Function and Operation
- Reliability
- Levels
- Data Security
- Performance
- Compatibility
- Features
- Write-Caching
- AISC
- Cost
- Future
RAID configurations allow enterprises to protect their data, making it fault-tolerant for high-availability systems. VROC, Virtual, hardware, and software RAID are some of the most important RAID types in storage devices. They provide data redundancy, offering complete data recovery in case of power or single disk failure. This blog highlights the difference between software and hardware RAID in detail.
Difference Between Software Raid and Hardware Raid
Both RAIDs have the same functions but differ based on device operations, compatibility, infrastructure, and cost. The following section will highlight the differences between hardware RAID vs. software RAID in enterprise applications.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Function and Operation
The primary function is the same in hardware and software RAID, offering data protection and redundancy during drive failure. Both RAIDs use different RAID levels: 1,2,3,4,5,6 and their combinations to connect several independent devices into a single “Array” (single drive). Hardware RAID links storage with RAID controllers for shared storage capacity and read and write speeds. In contrast, software RAID employs only an Operating System (OS) and RAID software to run storage arrays without RAID cards.
Hardware vs. Software RAID: Reliability
Hardware RAID uses a RAID controller or RAID card which connects to the motherboard PCI slot converting multiple drives into a single array. Software RAID doesn’t use RAID controllers and relies completely on the system CPU, OS or BIOS. However, sometimes businesses employ Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) for drive connectivity. In contrast, hardware RAID uses RAID cards for RAID implementation, without relying on OS or CPUs. RAID cards have built-in HBAs, however, businesses do opt for HBAs separately according to their requirements as follows.
- Most older PCs and servers don’t have integrated SAS chipset support.
- HBAs have additional external or internal ports offering additional SAS drive connections.
- RAID controllers can offload calculations to HBAs, improving overall RAID performance.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Levels
Many RAID levels such as RAID 0, 1,2,3,4,5, and their combination are used in RAID implementation, offering various benefits. Software RAID allows all RAID levels and their combination: RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 (RAID 1 + RAID 0), and more. However, only RAID 0 and 1 perform well without intensive CPU processing. The increase in complexity, stress CPU performance, and decreasing software raid efficiency. To optimize the performance opt for an Intel Xeon processor equipped with a Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC), which allows you to create a hybrid RAID system using NVMe SSDs.
Hardware RAID also supports all RAID levels and their combination. Unlike software RAID, It doesn’t rely on CPU, therefore no degradation of performance occurs. Hardware RAID is equipped with a battery-powered memory cache, and a dedicated processor (RAID AISC or RAID-on-cards) to process RAID calculations independently.
Side Note: It’s important to remember RAID implementation differs based on storage drive protocols (NVMe, SAS or SATA). Hardware RAID can’t handle NVMe’s high throughput leading to bottlenecks, while software RAID is more flexible adopting various drive protocols.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Data Security
Software RAID relies on software or OS-based AES encryptions such as AES 256-bit or AES 128-bit, taking a huge toll on your CPU processor. However, the OS must support the encryption, or else the RAID is vulnerable to malware and corruption. Therefore, protecting the OS is the top-most priority of enterprises in software RAID using licensing security software. In contrast, hardware RAID is often equipped with hardware-based AES encryption. The encryption in hardware RAID is independent from the OS and CPU allowing efficient encryption and decryption process, without bottlenecks.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Performance
As a general rule, hardware RAID performs better than software RAID. This is due to many factors such as dedicated processors, and memory cache in RAID cards. However, the increase in computational power of CPUs in both Intel and AMD gives way to further performance boosts in software RAID. The performance between hardware vs. software RAIDs depends on their RAID levels. For example: using RAID 5 or RAID 6 decreases performance due to parity calculation during data recovery. In contrast, RAID without parity (RAID 10, RAID 1) is much faster at data recovery but occupies almost 50% of disk space due to data mirroring.
- Access Time: Hardware RAID uses RAID cards with cache to increase the access time, while software RAID access times vary with different RAID configurations. In particle applications, hardware RAID has more access time than software RAID.
- Latency: Software RAID uses CPU processors for processing which increases the read and write latency of drives. In contrast, hardware RAID with its dedicated CPU reduces latency significantly than software RAIDs. However, RAID levels also play a role in latency calculations.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Recovery Time
Recovery time differs based on RAID levels. Only RAID level 5 performs automatic data recovery, while other levels require manual rebuilding of RAID configurations to recover data. The hardware RAID recovery time depends on multiple factors such as the extent of disk failure, total data capacity, RAID controller speeds, and more. On the contrary, software RAID mostly depends on the OS and software used for recovery.
In software RAID recovery time varies depending on the data size, CPU clock speed, and RAID level. It’s important to note that RAID software recovers data using a system CPU processor, while RAID card has its own dedicated CPU for processing. Therefore, the recovery time may be faster in a RAID card than in RAID software, but it varies on above-mentioned factors as well.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Compatibility and Flexibility
Software RAID offers more flexibility in RAID configurations as they are not dependent on RAID cards. The only requirement is supported OSes, which are Windows, Linux, MacOS, and more. Moreover, software RAID supports multiple drive protocols like SAS, SATA and NVMe in different arrangements. The best part about software RAID is that it is easy to set up and operate.
On the contrary, hardware RAID are less flexible due to the requirement of compatible RAID cards for RAID implementation. If a RAID card is damaged, only a compatible RAID card can recover the drive data. Moreover, hardware RAID creates bottlenecks when connected to NVMe drives due to its higher throughput, limiting flexibility. However, the newer tri-mode configuration, allows enterprises to be more flexible with hardware RAID drive arrangements.
Hardware vs. Software Raid: Features
There are many features in both software vs. hardware raid showcasing multiple features, some of which are as follows:
Hardware vs. Software Raid: Write-Caching
Write-back cache allows the hardware RAID controller to write data on cache memory for the host system for quick data access time. However, it risks data loss during emergency off time (EOT), as the cache is a volatile memory, therefore, the data can be lost. Most enterprises disable write caching to increase RAID reliability, although, at the expense of speed. On the other hand, there are no RAID controllers or cache in software RAID, so it doesn’t have a write-cache feature.
Hardware vs. Software Raid: Fault Tolerance
Both software and hardware RAID’s main purpose is to create a fault-tolerant system for data protection. It allows different types of server to handle single-drive failures, while some RAID levels also offer two-drive failures as well. Hardware RAID in servers supports hot swapping, making it easy to replace the faulty drive without shutdown. It automatically rebuilds the RAID configuration after disruption, replacing the faulty drive. However, not all RAID levels support automatic RAID rebuilding.
In contrast, software RAID doesn’t have any hardware support and completely relies on OS or BIOS. The replacement of faulty drives requires advanced software RAID management skills and may require complete server shutdown. It’s important to note both RAIDs have a single failure point. In hardware RAID, if a RAID card is damaged, the entire RAID system is compromised. Similarly, if the OS in software RAID corrupts, it increases the chances of data loss in all connected drives.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: AISC Capability
RAID AISC is a dedicated processor in hardware RAID controllers that performs complex calculations without CPU input. However, software RAID is independent of hardware and, therefore, does not have an AISC or a dedicated processor.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Cost
Hardware RAID is more expensive than software RAID as it includes a RAID controller that costs between $30 to $2999. The overall cost increases with the number of drives, compatible motherboards, and systems. In contrast, software RAID requires licensed RAID software, which mostly comes with OS like Windows and MacOS.
A Host Bus Adapter that costs between $30 to $3499 and more. If you opt for a hybrid RAID configuration: VROC + Software RAID, add the additional expense of buying Xeon CPU processors. Both software raid vs. hardware raid costs of configurations can be as expensive as per budget, therefore, considering the requirements is necessary before implementation.
Software Raid vs. Hardware Raid: Future-Proofing
The future of RAID technology hangs at a crossroads since the arrival of Software-Defined-Storage (SDS). It separates storage software from hardware, allowing greater flexibility by removing software dependency on proprietary hardware. This flexibility exceeds software or hardware RAID, making them a thing of the past. The world of storage expands slowly, and every advancement in technology is an excuse for an upgrade.
Hardware RAID is becoming more sophisticated with its tri-mode, connecting SATA, NVMe, or SAS drives within a single configuration. Similarly, software RAID with increasing advancement in motherboards, and CPU processors will allow better performance and reliability. The value of software RAID, hardware RAID, and SDS is expected to rise in data centers and edge computing across various industries. Therefore, understanding their differences is crucial to make full use of this technology.
Hardware Raid vs. Software Raid: Pros and Cons
The following section will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of hardware Raid vs. software Raid.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Hardware RAID | Hot-swappable | Expensive |
| Faster | Complicated Setup | |
| Write-Back Cache | Create bottlenecks with NVMe SSD | |
| Software RAID | Affordable | No hot-swapping |
| Easy Setup | Slower | |
| Perform well with NVMe SSD and Xeon processor | No Write-Back Cache |
Hardware Raid vs. Software Raid: Which One to Consider?
Hardware RAID offers high-speed performance and calculable recovery time, independent from the computer system. In contrast, software RAID does provide sufficient performance, and reliable recovery time, but relies completely on the system processors, causing bottlenecks. The major difference between the software raid and hardware raid is cost, maintenance, and infrastructure – software RAIDs are comparatively affordable than hardware RAIDs –
SMEs opt for software RAID to accommodate their limited budget, while large organizations choose hardware RAID for bigger storage pools. In any case, considering factors affecting system performance and data integrity is important before selecting software vs. hardware RAID types. Many organizations pick the best of both sides into hybrid RAID, combining hardware and software in their enterprises.
Computing Worlds offers new, used, and refurbished RAID controllers for sale at competitive prices. We also have HBAs for sale for additional SAS support and implementation of software RAID.
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FAQs
Which RAID Offers The Fastest Read/Write Speeds?
The difference between software raid and hardware raid speed is RAID levels. RAID 0 offers the fastest read/write speeds and high performance but does not backup data, providing 100% drive storage capacity.
How Many Disks Are Required For RAID?
The number of disks depends on the RAID level. However, 2 or 3 disk drives are required for any RAID configuration.
Are there RAIDs other than Software and Hardware?
Yes, Virtual and Hybrid RAID are the most common types of RAID other than software and hardware.
Enterprises requiring high-speed performance and fault tolerance, without compromising server speed opt for RAID controllers. On the other hand, budget-conscious enterprises opt for software RAID to provide shared read/write speed and storage. This marks the end of the debate between hardware RAID vs. software RAID. Combining different storage devices such as NAS or SAN within a RAID network also enhances performance. Many RAID controllers also accommodate different drives such as SSD and HDD to offer SSD speed and HDD storage.
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