Adaptive parity rotation for redundant arrays of independent disks

A computer program product for utilizing storage space in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer-usable program code embodied therein, the computer-usable program code configured to perform the following when executed by at least one processor:

• implement a RAID comprising a plurality of storage drives, the RAID utilizing data striping with distributed parity values, the distributed parity values being placed on selected storage drives of the RAID in accordance with a parity rotation;
• in a first portion of the RAID, use a fixed parity rotation wherein each storage drive of the RAID participates substantially equally in storing parity values;
• and
• in a second portion of the RAID, adaptively alter the parity rotation of the RAID to provide an increased concentration of parity values in storage drives of the RAID having a larger remaining storage capacity compared to storage drives of the RAID having a smaller remaining storage capacity.

A system for recovering a failed storage drive in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) utilizing wide striping and distributed spares, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one memory device coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions for execution on the at least one processor, the instructions causing the at least one processor to:
• implement a RAID comprising a plurality of storage drives, the RAID utilizing data striping with distributed parity values, the distributed parity values being placed on selected storage drives of the RAID in accordance with a parity rotation;
• in a first portion of the RAID, use a fixed parity rotation wherein each storage drive of the RAID participates substantially equally in storing parity values;
• and
• in a second portion of the RAID, adaptively alter the parity rotation of the RAID to provide an increased concentration of parity values in storage drives of the RAID having a larger remaining storage capacity compared to storage drives of the RAID having a smaller remaining storage capacity.