Here’s how to create or delete a RAID 0 or RAID 1 multi-disk storage system using Apple Disk Utility.
NOTE: Here’s a tutorial that explains what these RAID levels mean.
Disk Utility is a Mac application that is stored in Applications > Utilities. Disk Utility can only create RAID 0 and RAID 1 volumes. You’ll need to use other software, such as SoftRAID from OWC, to create RAID 4, 5, 6, or 1+0.
TO CREATE A RAID
Click Next and, after a few seconds, the RAID is created and displayed on the desktop.
TO DELETE A RAID
To delete a RAID, first, unmount it from the Desktop.
NOTE: Even though the RAID is unmounted, Disk Utility will still display it. If it doesn’t, make sure the RAID is turned on and connected to your Mac.
IMPORTANT NOTES
2,000 Video Training Titles
Edit smarter with Larry Jordan. Available in our store.
Access over 2,000 on-demand video editing courses. Become a member of our Video Training Library today!
Subscribe to Larry's FREE weekly newsletter and
save 10%
on your first purchase.
6 Responses to How to Create or Delete a RAID Using Apple Disk Utility
Do you format the individual blades and then create RAID? Or create RAID and then format?
Don:
It depends upon the software. Apple Disk Utility formats drives during the RAID creation process. OWC SoftRAID requires individual drives to be formatted first, then combined into a RAID.
In both cases, any existing data on the drives is erased when the RAID is created.
Larry
I think “blade” is new jargon for SSD drive, no? For those of us working in 4K I think the spinning drives are still fine,right? Please advise and correct as needed. Thanks for all your info.
Robert:
Blade is a very old IBM term for a device mounted on a card that slips into a slot on a chassis. Think of those PCIe cards that plugged into old IBM PCs.
In general, a spinning hard disk is OK for single camera editing of 4K. But it will have problems with multicam. For 4K I recommend a RAID, either HDD or SSD.
Larry
It’s so much easier creating a RAID0 with Apple RAID Disk Utility using your way Larry vs the Apple Support way. I’m getting rid of all my SoftRaid RAID 5 and just going with Apple RAID0. Fewer problems to deal with when Apple rolls out another OSx update.
Thanks for the step by step with photos.
Jim:
Happy to help. Please remember, though, that RAID 5 protects your data in case one hard drive dies. RAID 0 is faster and holds more, but you lose all your data if one drive fails.
Larry