Storage · Field note 004
SoftRAID adds protection from two drive failures
OWC’s newest storage release strengthens large arrays and improves Mac-to-Windows access, but its headline modes come with platform and subscription limits.
SoftRAID 9 introduces two storage configurations designed to keep an array operating after two drives fail at the same time.
The conventional RAID 6 mode distributes two sets of parity information across at least four drives. That gives an array another layer of protection while it is rebuilding from an earlier failure—a process that can take hours on large, busy storage systems.
OWC is also adding RAID 6+, which places parity on dedicated drives rather than distributing those writes across the array. The company positions that arrangement for SSDs and other high-throughput uses, although it has not published comparative performance or endurance data.
New protection, narrow requirements
Creating and managing either new mode requires macOS 27 and a SoftRAID Premium subscription. OWC has not explained which operating-system change makes macOS 27 necessary or whether earlier macOS versions could gain support later.
Existing Premium subscribers receive version 9 without an additional upgrade charge, and current SoftRAID volumes do not need to be reformatted. If a Premium subscription expires, Standard mode still permits access to data and rebuilding after a failed drive, but it does not allow creation or modification of volumes.
That structure avoids locking existing files behind a continuing subscription, while reserving configuration changes and advanced monitoring for paying customers.
Windows gains encrypted APFS access
The Windows edition can now open password-protected APFS RAID volumes through its integrated MacDrive technology. Existing support for unencrypted APFS and HFS+ storage also remains.
OWC’s documentation says RAID 6 and RAID 6+ can only be created and managed on macOS 27. It does not clearly state whether Windows can mount or write to a volume made with one of those modes. Snapdragon-based Windows PCs are not supported.
As always, drive redundancy is not a backup. RAID can preserve availability through hardware failures, but it cannot restore data lost to deletion, corruption, malicious software, theft, or damage to the entire enclosure.