Vinum is a logical volume manager,[1][2][3] also called software RAID, allowing implementations of the RAID-0, RAID-1 and RAID-5 models, both individually and in combination.
With a software implementation, the operating system manages the disks of the array through the normal drive controller (ATA, SATA, SCSI, Fibre Channel, etc.).
This controller handles the management of the disks, and performs parity calculations (needed for many RAID levels).
Hardware implementations also typically support hot swapping, allowing failed drives to be replaced while the system is running.
When any modern operating system is used, it will need specialized RAID drivers that will make the array look like a single block device.