InternetNews.com - Webopedia: Online Dictionary for Computer and Internet Terms
 


   

Partner With Us
















Enter a keyword...
...or choose a category.

massive array of idle disks
Last modified: Wednesday, September 19, 2007  

In storage terminology a massive array of idle disks, or MAID as it is abbreviated, is a technology that uses a large group of hard disk drives, hundreds or even thousands, with only those drives that are needed actively spinning at any given time. MAID is a storage system solution that reduces both wear on the drives and also reduces power consumption. Because only specific disks spin at a given time, what is not in use is literally a massive array of idle disks, which also means the system produces less heat than other large storage systems.

One type of MAID is called the Copan array (Copan Systems Inc.). The Copan array treats drives in the array similar to a tape library (VTL) where only what is needed is actually powered. A Copan array can contain hundreds of terabytes of disks which share supply, controller, and cabinet.

See also disk array.

Related Categories
  • Data Storage
  • Hardware
  • Related Terms
  • array
  • blade server
  • computer cabinet
  • computer enclosure
  • data
  • data at rest
  • hard disk drive
  • hardware
  • power supply
  • storage
  • virtual tape library
  • Shopping
    massive array disk Products
    Compare Products,Prices and Stores

    Shop by Category:
    Network Storage
    4 Model Matches

    Hard Drives
    2 Store Offers

    Storage Controllers
    1 Model Matches

     
    Related Links

    COPAN Systems
    COPAN Systems' Enhanced MAID (Massive Array of Idle Disks) Virtual Tape Library (VTL) solutions offer the best of both worlds between disk and tape technologies, and provide the performance, scalability, reliability, and affordability that is ideally suited for managing persistent data.

    MAID Technology Blog with Chris Santilli
    MAID utilizes the state transitions of a disk drive offline/inactive to online/active and vice versa.

    Network Storage Forum
    Business Continuity, Hardware, Industry News, IP Storage, Management, Outsourcing and more for Enterprise Storage.

    Webopedia's Quick Reference Section
    Use this Webopedia reference section for information on common Internet and computer facts and occurrences.

    Webopedia's Quick Reference Section: Blade servers
    Whether you call it a server blade or blade server, there is no denying that these cost-efficient, slim and less power-consuming servers are a hit for high-performance computing as well as for the small and midsize business (SMB).


    Add internetnews.com
    to your browser search box.

    IE 7 | Firefox 2.0 | Firefox 1.5.x

    Receive news
    via our XML/RSS:
    feed

    More InternetNews.com


    Hardware Software Mobility Web Content
    Search Government Developer Business
    Storage E-Commerce Networking Security



    internet.commediabistro.comJusttechjobs.comGraphics.com

    Search:

    WebMediaBrands Corporate Info

    Legal Notices, Licensing, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
    Advertise | Newsletters | Shopping | E-mail Offers | Freelance Jobs