Each entire data block is written on a data disk; parity for blocks in the same rank is generated on Writes, recorded in a distributed location and checked on Reads.

RAID Level 5 requires a minimum of 3 drives to implement

Highest Read data transaction rate

Medium Write data transaction rate

Low ratio of ECC (Parity) disks to data disks means high efficiency

Good aggregate transfer rate

Disk failure has a medium impact on throughput

Most complex controller design

Difficult to rebuild in the event of a disk failure (as compared to RAID level 1)

Individual block data transfer rate same as single disk

Recommended Applications

• File and Application servers
• Database servers
• WWW, E-mail, and News servers
• Intranet servers
• Most versatile RAID level