What does RAID stand for?

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. This term is a fundamental concept in computer storage that refers to a data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical disk drive components into a single logical unit for the purposes of data redundancy, performance improvement, or both.

The "redundant" aspect indicates that the data is stored in a manner that allows for recovery in case of a disk failure, which enhances the reliability and availability of data. The use of "independent" instead of "internal" emphasizes the fact that the disks can be separate entities, allowing for a combination of different disk types and from various manufacturers within the same array.

This term is prevalent in the context of RAID configurations, where different RAID levels (like RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, etc.) define how data is distributed across the disk drives and how redundancy is achieved. Each configuration serves different needs regarding speed, fault tolerance, and disk utilization.

The other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of RAID. The alternative suggestions that mention "random access," "reliable access," and "internal disks" do not convey the correct principles of RAID technology.