Each bit of data word is written to a data disk drive (4 in this example: 0 to 3). Each data word has its Hamming Code ECC word recorded on the ECC disks. On Read, the ECC code verifies correct data or corrects single disk errors.

"On the fly" data error correction

Extremely high data transfer rates possible

The higher the data transfer rate required, the better the ratio of data disks to ECC disks

Relatively simple controller design compared to RAID levels 3,4 & 5

Very high ratio of ECC disks to data disks with smaller word sizes - inefficient

Entry level cost very high - requires very high transfer rate requirement to justify

Transaction rate is equal to that of a single disk at best (with spindle synchronization)

No commercial implementations exist / not commercially viable