What does RAID 1 provide in terms of data storage?

RAID 1 is designed specifically for data redundancy through the technique of data mirroring. In a RAID 1 configuration, data is written identically to two or more drives. This means that if one drive fails, the data remains accessible from the other drive(s). This mirroring process ensures that there is an exact copy of the data at all times, allowing for sustained availability and reliability of information within the storage system.

The focus of RAID 1 is on providing redundancy, which is critical for protecting against data loss. In scenarios where data integrity and availability are paramount, RAID 1 offers peace of mind, knowing that there is a backup of the data stored on another drive. This straightforward implementation makes it a popular choice for environments where uptime and data safety are primary concerns.

While other RAID configurations may offer enhanced performance or additional redundancy features, RAID 1's key characteristic is its mirroring capability, which directly addresses the need for data redundancy.