What is the primary function of a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)?

The primary function of a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is to combine multiple disk drives into a single logical unit, which enhances both performance and redundancy. This means that RAID can improve the speed of data access by striping data across several drives, allowing simultaneous read and write operations. Additionally, RAID provides fault tolerance by mirroring or using parity information, which means that if one drive fails, the data can still be recovered from another drive in the array.

The architecture of RAID not only optimizes storage performance but also ensures data integrity and availability, which is critical for many applications, particularly in enterprise environments. By using RAID configurations, organizations can minimize the risk of data loss and improve application responsiveness, effectively making data storage more reliable and efficient.