Install RAID (RAID 5) on EVS Dahua Storage Server

In today’s article, I will guide you how to create RAID for hard drives on Storage Server (EVS), instructions that apply to Dahua products:

  • EVS5000, EVS5024S-R, EVS5036S-R, EVS7048S-R, EVS5136S

RAID is an abbreviation for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. Initially, RAID is used as a protection solution because it allows data to be written to multiple hard disks at the same time. Later, RAID there have been many variations that allow not only to ensure data security but also to significantly increase the speed of accessing data from the hard disk

Currently, all EVS support RAID to ensure your data storage is safe. When using RAID, you should pay attention to the following issues:

  • EVS supports multiple RAID, but it is recommended that you should use RAID 5
  • It is possible to create multiple RAID 5 clusters, the number of hard drives in each cluster is calculated according to the formula 2n + 1, for example: 3 hard drives, 5 hard drives, 9 hard drives, 17 drives hard, …
  • Available capacity per RAID will be equal to ( n – 1) * drive capacity. For example, creating RAID 5 with 5 hard drives, the actual capacity will be equal to 4 drives combined.
  • You should use an Enreprise hard drive of the same capacity and the same manufacturer for best results.
  • In case you use multiple hard drives of different capacities, the calculation will be based on the hard drive with the lowest capacity.

First, create a new RAID, select the hard drive and select RAID 5 type.

When starting to create RAID, all data saved on the hard drive (if any) will be deleted.

The RAID cluster has been created and is ready to use.

Hotspare – Hot spare hard drive is an indispensable function when using RAID. When the RAID fails, this Hotspare drive will automatically replace the failed position in your RAID.

You can create one or more hot spare drives for RAID, proceed as follows: