Data Recovery Weekly

RAID controllers should have a simplified configuration option which should ask just a single question - how much does it cost to re-create your data from scratch? - and then proceed accordingly. This should prevent people from storing useful data, or worse yet, something which is not possible to re-create, on RAID0s.

Do not underestimate the software RAID. Software RAID would typically provide the same, of not better reliability than an entry-level server hardware RAID controller. Software RAID is easier to move around from server to server. It does not require an identical replacement controller in case of a controller failure, which is sometimes a hinderance with server hardware. In RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10, the hardware RAID controller does not provide any computational power benefit because there is nothing to offload. Most modern SOHO and small business NAS devices, like Synology, QNAP, or NetGear, use the software RAID (Linux/mdadm).

If you are planning to build a RAID 0, consider using an SSD instead. Depending on what your requirements are, you may find a better bang for your buck with just one SSD. Also, higher RPM rotational drives (e.g. WD VelociRaptor series) or hybrid drives (like Seagate Momentus XT) may be interesting.