What RAID level utilizes striping with distributed parity?

RAID 5 is the configuration that utilizes striping with distributed parity. In this setup, data is split into blocks and spread across multiple disks, enhancing performance through striping. Additionally, RAID 5 offers fault tolerance by storing parity information alongside the data across the disks. This parity data allows for the reconstruction of lost data in the event of a single disk failure, making it a popular choice for many organizations seeking a balance of performance and data protection.

In contrast, RAID 0 relies solely on striping without any form of redundancy, meaning there is no fault tolerance. RAID 1 duplicates data across two disks, emphasizing redundancy over performance. RAID 10, a combination of RAID 0 and RAID 1, offers both striping and mirroring but does not utilize distributed parity in the way RAID 5 does. This distinct characteristic of RAID 5—its effective use of distributed parity along with striping—highlights its unique role in data storage solutions.