Storage Configuration

Correct Answer: Upgrade to an SSD

The best storage upgrade to improve performance when accessing and saving large files would be to upgrade to an SSD (Solid State Drive). SSDs offer significantly faster read and write speeds compared to traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), reducing the time it takes to access and save large files. Adding more RAM would improve overall system performance but would not directly address the storage bottleneck. Upgrading to a higher RPM HDD or installing an additional HDD would provide some improvement, but the performance gains would be minimal compared to switching to an SSD.

Correct Answer: RAID 0 (Striping)

RAID 0 (Striping) is the recommended storage configuration technique for creating a large, high-performance volume from multiple SSDs in a workstation used for video editing. Here's why:

RAID 0 provides the best performance and largest storage capacity among the given options. It combines multiple SSDs into a single logical drive, distributing data across all drives in the array. This configuration offers improved read and write speeds, which is crucial for video editing tasks that involve handling large files and real-time playback.

The other options are less suitable for this specific use case:

RAID 1 (Mirroring) focuses on data redundancy by duplicating data across drives. While it provides excellent data protection, it doesn't increase performance or storage capacity, which are primary requirements for video editing.

RAID 5 (Striping with distributed parity) offers a balance between performance, capacity, and redundancy. However, it has slower write speeds compared to RAID 0 due to parity calculations, making it less ideal for video editing workstations where write performance is crucial.

JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) simply combines multiple drives into a single logical volume. It doesn't provide any performance benefits or data distribution advantages, making it unsuitable for high-performance video editing tasks.

For a video editing workstation where performance and storage capacity are prioritized over data redundancy, RAID 0 is the most appropriate choice among the given options.

Correct Answer: Replace the DVD drive with a hard drive caddy

Replacing the DVD drive with a hard drive caddy is the best solution as it provides a secure way to add a second drive to the laptop without sacrificing functionality. Other options, such as attaching the new drive with a USB adapter or using a splitter, might work but could be less secure and may not perform as well.