The most common hard drive technology used to predict drive failure is an advanced predictive failure analysis (PFA) system. PFA is a set of algorithms and diagnostic tools used by drive manufacturers and system integrators to monitor the health of their hard drives. The system tracks S.M.A.R.T (self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology) attributes of the hard drive including, spin-up time, fly height, media defects and temperature to name a few. These attributes are monitored and compared to pre-set thresholds and can indicate if the drive is likely to fail in the future. The system can also provide quick corrective action in the event of a detected issue. By constantly monitoring the drive and proactively addressing any potential issues, PFA can help to maximize data safety and operational efficiency.
