Implementing Mass Storage
Chapter 9
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode: RAID
Core 1: 3.3 Given a scenario, select and install storage
devices.
Objective(s):
Core 1: 5.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot and diagnose
problems with storage drives and RAID arrays.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode Description
The Random Array of Independent (or
Inexpensive) Disks (RAID) is a philosophy of
using multiple drives working as a single
drive – an array – for speed or redundancy.
A good tech should understand the many
RAID levels and the benefits they provide.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Key Terms
• 0:52 - Objective term - Redundant Array of
Inexpensive Disks (RAID)
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Quick Review
• RAID provides speed and/or redundancy
• RAID 0 (striping) provides speed
• RAID 1 (mirroring) provides redundancy
• RAID 5 (striping with parity) provides speed
and redundancy but can only lose one drive
• RAID 6 (striping with parity) provides speed
and redundancy but can lose two drives
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode: Hardware RAID
Core 1: 3.3 Given a scenario, select and install storage
devices.
Objective(s):
Core 2: 1.9 Given a scenario, perform OS installations
and upgrades in a diverse OS environment.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode Description
Hardware RAID uses a purpose-built RAID
controller to configure and maintain RAID
arrays. It’s important to understand the
benefits of hardware RAID and how to
configure and maintain RAID arrays.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Key Terms
• 2:57 - <CTRL-R>
• 5:33 - Objective term - Hot spare/
swappable drive
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Quick Review
• Hardware RAID requires a controller to
configure the RAID arrays
• Hardware RAID has its own BIOS that
comes with a special system setup
to configure the RAID array
• The completed array looks like a single
drive to the operating system
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Software RAID in Storage
Episode:
Spaces
Core 1: 3.3 Given a scenario, select and install storage
devices.
Objective(s):
Core 2: 1.3 Given a scenario, use features and tools of
the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system (OS).
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode Description
Microsoft’s Storage Spaces feature
provides a superb tool to configure many
different RAID configurations on any
Windows system. A good tech knows which
types of RAID it supports and how to set
them up.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Key Terms
• 3:57 - Just a bunch of disks (JBOD)
• 7:00 - Three-way mirror
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Quick Review
• Software RAID uses the operating
system to configure the RAID array
• Windows comes with a powerful tool
called Storage Spaces to
configure advanced software RAID
arrays
• Storage Spaces provides superb
flexibility
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode: Encrypting Mass Storage
Core 1: 3.4 Given a scenario, install and configure
motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on
Objective(s): cards.
Core 2: 2.5 Given a scenario, manage and configure basic
security settings in the Microsoft Windows OS.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode Description
Securing mass storage is a critical aspect
of system security. Make sure you know the
many ways a system’s mass storage can be
encrypted.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Key Terms
• 0:32 - Objective term - Encryption
• 1:01 - File-based encryption
• 1:04 - Disk-based encryption
• 1:41 - Objective term - Encrypting File System
(EFS)
• 4:23 - Objective term - BitLocker for Windows
• 4:28 - Objective term - FileVault for macOS
• 4:46 - Objective term - Trusted Platform Module
(TPM)
• 7:55 - Objective term - BitLocker To Go
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Quick Review
• File-based encryption encrypts files and
folders; disk-based encryption encrypts
entire drives
• Windows uses Encrypted File System
(EFS) to encrypt folders and files
• Windows uses Bitlocker to encrypt entire
hard drives
• Bitlocker requires a system with a Trusted
Platform Module (TPM) chip
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode: Mass Storage Troubleshooting
Core 1: 5.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot and diagnose
Objective(s):
problems with storage drives and RAID arrays.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Episode Description
Mass storage devices sometimes fail,
resulting in the potential loss of critical data.
A good tech knows the tools and
procedures to diagnose and repair many
mass storage problems.
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Key Terms
• 0:29 - 1. Back it up
• 0:47 - 2. Mental reinstall
• 1:04 - 3. Triple check
• 1:30 - Objective term - RAID not found/RAID
not working
• 2:41 - Objective term - Read/write failure or
extended read/write times
• 3:03 - Objective term - Self-Monitoring,
Analysis, and Reporting Technology
(S.M.A.R.T.)
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Key Terms
• 3:31 - Objective term - Slow/sluggish performance
• 4:01 - Objective term - Red LED status indicator
• 4:13 - Objective term - Loud clicking/grinding
noises
• 4:36 - Failure to boot
• 5:06 - Objective term - Drive not
recognized/bootable device not found/missing
drives
• 5:38 - OS not found
• 6:15 - Attempts to boot incorrect device
• 6:29 - Continuous reboots
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
Quick Review
• Always back up important data before
troubleshooting mass storage
• Use a mental process of installation to
make sure all the installation steps have
taken place
• Review the many symptoms in this
episode!
CompTIA A+ (220-110x)
Mike Meyers and Steve Nicholson
