/ TRAID

The Flexible Disk Array -- TRAID

TerraMaster TRAID provides users with an optimized, flexible and elastic disk array management solution！

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What is TRAID?

TRAID is the abbreviation of TerraMaster RAID. TRAID is a flexible disk array management tool developed by TerraMaster. It has features such as the automatic combination of disk space, hard disk failure redundancy protection, and automatic capacity expansion. All these features do not require manual configuration by the user, and the system will automatically complete the configuration according to the properties of the hard disk. TRAID provides users with an optimized, flexible and elastic disk array management solution, especially suitable for new users who are not proficient in how to configure a disk array.

Higher disk space utilization

In the digital age, the amount of our data is increasing rapidly, and the capacity of hard disks is also increasing rapidly at a rate of almost doubling every 3 years. When we purchase larger capacity hard drives, we also hope that the old hard drives can continue to play a role, but the traditional array mode cannot meet this demand. TerraMaster TRAID array solves this problem very well. With TRAID flexible management strategy, you can continuously add hard disks to your array to expand the storage capacity, even if the hard disk capacity is quite different.
Suppose you need to combine 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB, 10TB 5 hard drives with different capacities to form a disk array with redundancy protection. In traditional RAID mode (RAID 5), you only get 5TB of usable space. And with TRAID's elastic strategy, you can get 23TB of usable space.
Notice:
Once you have selected TRAID as your array type, you cannot convert TRAID to a traditional array type unless you delete and recreate the array. If you want to manage the array type manually, it is recommended that you use the traditional type when building your array, such as Single, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, etc.

How TRAID works

TerraMaster uses the Linux disk management tool to subtly divide the hard disk space of different capacities into smaller partitions, and then combine the redundancy strategy to recombine the partitions. Once the TRAID is formed, users can still replace larger capacity hard disks or add more hard disks to expand the storage space of the array according to their needs. Compared with traditional arrays, in addition to redundancy protection, TRAID can significantly improve the utilization efficiency of disk space. At the same time, compared with traditional arrays, TRAID arrays have higher efficiency when expanding capacity.

How to expand the storage space of TRAID?

After the TRAID is formed, you can expand the storage space through the following 2 methods.
1. Replace the hard drive with a larger capacity.
Note: The capacity of the newly added disk is at least as large as the smallest capacity disk in the TRAID .
Operation method: Keep the TNAS powered on, remove one of the drives, and insert a larger capacity drive, go to Control Panel > Storage Management > Storage Pool > Edit, and select "Repair". After the array is repaired, use the same method to replace other hard drives.
2. Increase the number of hard drives.
Operation method: Keep the TNAS powered on, insert a new hard drive, go to Control Panel > Storage Management > Storage Pool > Edit, and select “Expand”. Make sure that the capacity of the newly added disk is at least as large as the smallest capacity disk in the TRAID and you have enough spare disks slots.

Hard disk failure redundancy protection

TRAID can provide you with redundant protection against a hard disk failure, allowing a maximum of one hard disk to fail. Ensure your data is not lost in the event of a hard drive failure in the array.
Note: You only need one hard disk to create a TRAID array, but TRAID of one hard disk cannot provide redundancy protection. If redundancy protection is required, you need at least 2 hard disks.

TRAID+ : Elevating Disk Array
Management

Since its inception in TOS 5, TerraMaster's TRAID has garnered acclaim for its flexible disk array management capabilities. With features like automatic disk space aggregation, redundancy protection against hard drive failures, and seamless expansion, TRAID has become a go-to tool for users. Now, with TOS 6, TerraMaster unveils TRAID+'s upgraded version, offering an elevated standard of data storage security.

TRAID+: Redefining Redundancy

TRAID+ not only inherits TRAID's outstanding features but also breaks new ground in redundancy protection. While traditional TRAID ensures failure redundancy for one hard drive, TRAID+ doubles this safeguard to cover two drives, significantly bolstering data security. This enhancement positions TRAID+ as the premier choice for users prioritizing data integrity.

Operational Framework: Harnessing RAID 6 Principles

TRAID+'s operational framework mirrors that of RAID 6. It partitions disk space into multiple storage units and utilizes RAID 6 characteristics to amalgamate them into a versatile array configuration. This approach guarantees data reliability and exceptional storage efficiency. However, building a TRAID+ array mandates a minimum of four disks, and when migrating from TRAID to TRAID+, the added disks must match or exceed the smallest disk in the original TRAID array's capacity.

How to migrate from TRAID to TRAID+?

You can migrate from TRAID to TRAID+ by adding more hard drives. Note: TRAID can only be migrated to TRAID+ when there are 3 or more hard drives present. Procedure: Keep TNAS powered on, insert the new hard drive(s), navigate to Control Panel > Storage Management > Storage Pool > Edit, and select "Migrate." Ensure that the capacity of the newly added hard drive(s) are no smaller than the smallest capacity hard disk in the TRAID.

Target Audience: Elevated Data Security Demands

Given TRAID+'s requirement for a minimum of four disks, with two dedicated to redundancy, users must accept a trade-off between storage space and enhanced data security. As such, TRAID+ caters more to professional or commercial users with stringent data security needs and the financial means to support it. For these users, investing in TRAID+ promises significant returns in data protection and peace of mind.

TerraMaster RAID Smart Calculator is a simple and easy-to-use tool designed to help you understand and compare TRAID with various RAID configurations. Whether you're planning a new storage setup or optimizing an existing one, the RAID Smart Calculator provides the necessary information to help you make informed storage solution decisions.

RAID Smart Calculator