Data striping

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The term Data striping refers to the segmentation of logically sequential data, such as a single file, so that segments can be written to multiple physical devices (usually disk drives) in a round-robin fashion.

This technique is useful if the processor is capable of reading or writing data faster than a single disk can supply or accept it. While data is being transferred from the first disk, the second disk can locate the next segment.

Data striping is used in some modern databases, such as Sybase, and in certain RAID devices under software or hardware control, such as IBM's RAMAC array subsystem.

Data striping is different from, but may be used in conjunction with, mirroring.

Advantage: performance. Disadvantage: in case of one RAID disk loss, this file (and all other data), will be lost, because the file is saved in parts, divided into several disks belonging to the RAID.

This article was originally based on material from the Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, which is licensed under the GFDL.