The way we create, edit, save and share data has changed over the years. We’re building, managing, and processing more data now, which necessitates having robust data storage systems that are more stable, responsive, and reliable.
The Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) is a Windows-based program created by Intel to improve a computer’s data storage capability, performance, and upgradability. It combines three storage technologies: Intel Matrix RAID, Intel Rapid RAID, and Intel Smart Response Technology.
This article explains Intel Rapid Storage Technology, its features, and its benefits.
What Is Intel Rapid Storage Technology?
RST is a firmware based on the Redundancy Array of Independent Disks (RAID). RAID is a functionality that lets you store the same data in different hard drives to improve data storage, retrieval, and device efficiency. This storage solution lets you keep your data on multiple hard disks while managing it as a single volume.
Besides providing better data storage and retrieval, RST gives a computer better data caching capacity. Data caching enables you to read, write and retrieve data fast, reducing booting time without accumulating more system memory.
The components of this technology include the following.
- Intel Smart Response Technology.
- PCIe storage support.
- SATA RAID 0, 1, 5 AND 10 support.
- Dynamic storage accelerator.
- Power-up in standby support.
What Are the Features of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology?
RST is one of the best device data storage systems, thanks to its beneficial features. Check out these characteristics below.
RAID Technology
When your computer or hard drive fails, you risk losing data if you haven’t backed it up. With RAID technology, you can store your data in multiple drives, which enhances the performance of your device. It combines two and six drives to form a single array known as RAID 0.
You can access data from these drives simultaneously, a feature that enhances your device’s speed and response time. The multi-storage drive feature also helps protect your data from loss in case of drive failure through data mirroring among the different drives.
RAID has several performance levels.
- RAID Level 0.
- RAID Level 1.
- RAID Level 5.
- RAID Level 10.
Intel Smart Response Technology
The information you frequently access on your computer or any other device is stored in a different hard disk drive (HDD) from the data you rarely access. For example, if you access Microsoft Word and the VLC media player daily, your computer stores data related to these apps in a high-performance HDD.
The Smart Response Technology is the part of RST responsible for identifying the applications you use frequently and storing the data in the high-performance HDD. This technology also combines HDD and solid-state drive (SDD) storage to make your operating system faster.
Simultaneous Command Capacity
Suppose you are running two commands on your computer simultaneously. How does your computer choose which order to run first?
The Intel RST uses the Native Command Queuing to enable your device to run two commands simultaneously without overwhelming the system. Your device’s SATA disks can accept two commands simultaneously and optimize the order of commands.
Intel Matrix RAID Technology
Safe and reliable data storage is vital in today’s environment, and measures to protect against data loss are essential. Intel’s Matrix RAID technology stores data on several levels to provide data redundancy.
Redundancy in data management means storing the same piece of information in two separate locations. Matrix RAID technology ensures you don’t lose data if one disk fails.
What Are the Benefits of Intel Rapid Storage Technology?
Your data is safer and easy to manage with Intel Rapid Storage Technology. Here are its benefits.
Better Performance of Your SSD
The next generation Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) devices let you connect peripheral devices such as hard drives and storage devices. The Intel RST supports PCIe devices with transfer speeds of up to 1GB per second, maximizing storage performance and response time.
It also has a dynamic storage accelerator that adjusts system power management to speed up the performance of your SSD.
Rapid Data Recovery
You can quickly recover your system through RST’s Intel Rapid Recover Technology (RRT) in case of disk failure. You can also recover important files by mounting the cloned data as a read-only volume.
Increased Data Storage Capacity
When you manage your data better and optimize your device’s performance, your device stores more data, especially for the apps you use frequently; your computer can use an internal SSD as a nonvolatile intelligent caching disk or volume.
This process manages the cache data of the applications you frequently use while removing the cache of those you rarely use.
Improved Data Security
Intel RST protects your storage disks with a password to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing your data. You set the passcode after signing up to the system, and only users who know this passcode can access the stored data. Cybercriminals are less likely to access your data too.
Conclusion
Intel Rapid Storage Technology is a data storage program that lets you enhance your computer’s data storage capability, performance, and data security. It’s based on the RAID technology, a functionality through which your computer stores the same piece of data on several drives to protect against data loss if one drive fails.
