Episode 10: Hard Drive Basics – Show Notes

1. Interface – This basically refers to the form and architecture of the communications link between the hard drive and the rest of the computer
   1. PATA – Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment
   2. SATA – Serial ATA
   3. SCSI – Small Computer System Interface
   4. SAS – Serial Attached SCSI
   5. CF Compatible – Compact Flash
2. Capacity – size matters!
3. Cache
4. RPM – Revolutions Per Minute
5. Average Latency
6. Physical Spec./Form Factor – Form factor generally comes in three flavors:  3.5″, 2.5″ and 1″ (more detail on this in next episode)
7. S.M.A.R.T. – Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology HDD Health is nice and simple

1. RAID 0 – “Striping”
2. RAID 1 – “Mirrored”
3. RAID 2
4. RAID 3 or 4
5. RAID 5
6. RAID 6
7. RAID 10 – This is also known as RAID 1+0
8. RAID 01 – This is also known as RAID 0+1

Links Mentioned in Episode:

HDD Health