Hard disk data protection technology

As hard disk capacity grows, we store more and more data in hard disks. So, how safe is it to store such a large amount of data in such an iron box? Although the MTBF of most hard disks has reached more than 300,000 hours, this is still not enough. A single failure is enough to cause catastrophic consequences. Because for many users, especially business users, data is the most expensive part of the PC system, and what they need is to be able to predict failures in advance. It is this demand and trust crisis that drives manufacturers to strive to find a hard disk security monitoring mechanism, so a series of hard disk data protection technologies came into being.

1. SMART technology
SMART technology stands for Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. SMART technology was formally established in the ATA-3 standard. SMART monitors objects including heads, disks, motors, circuits, etc. The hard disk monitoring circuit and the monitoring software on the host analyze and compare the operating conditions of the monitored objects with historical records and preset safety values. When a situation outside the safety value range occurs, it will automatically warn the user. More advanced technology can also alert the network administrator, automatically reduce the hard disk operation speed, transfer important data files to other safe sectors, and even back up files to other hard disks or storage devices. Through SMART technology, potential hard disk failures can indeed be effectively predicted and data security can be improved. But we should also see that SMART technology is not omnipotent. It can only monitor gradual failures, and for some sudden failures, such as sudden breakage of the disk, no matter how smart the hard disk is, it can't do anything. So no matter what, backup is still necessary.

2. DFT technology
DFT (Drive Fitness Test) technology is a data protection technology developed by IBM for its PC hard disk. It uses the DFT program to access the DFT microcode in the IBM hard disk to detect the hard disk, allowing users to quickly and easily detect the operation
status of the hard disk. According to research, most of the hard disks sent back for repair by users are good. DFT can reduce the occurrence of such situations, save time and energy for users, and avoid data loss due to misjudgment. It divides a separate space on the hard disk for the DFT program, which can be called even when the system software does not work properly. The DFT microcode can automatically register error events and save the registered data to the reserved area on the hard disk. The DFT microcode can also perform physical analysis of the hard disk in real time, such as calculating parameters such as disk exchange, servo stability, and repeated movement by reading the servo position error signal, and providing graphics for users or technicians to refer to. This is a brand new concept. The control signal of the hard disk subsystem can be used to analyze the mechanical condition of the hard disk itself. The DFT software is an independent software that does not rely on the operating system. It can run when any other software of the user fails.