Intel's MatrixRAID is something of a hybrid RAID implementation, making use of both RAID0 and RAID1 with only two hard disks. OCAU analyse how it works:
With the ICH6-R (the R denotes RAID capability) it is now possible to run RAID 0 and RAID 1 with only two physical hard disks. It’s up to the individual user how to take advantage of these arrays. By common sense all important data will be put on the RAID 1 volume, protected by the redundancy of this array. The RAID 0 array could then for example be used as working space for large temporary files. Which of the two arrays holds the Operating System and applications is more a matter of individual taste. If they are installed on the RAID 1 array the system remains operational in case of a hard disk failure, but loading them will be a little slower than running from the RAID 0 array. If installed on the RAID 0 array they are loading faster, but in case one of the 2 hard disks of the array fails, the system is immediately unusable until the disk is replaced and the system reinstalled.
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