In macOS, combining multiple physical drives into a single logical volume is known as creating an aggregate device, often using RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). While macOS itself doesn’t visually represent these combined drives with different colors within the user interface, third-party disk utility software can. These utilities often employ color-coding to visually distinguish individual physical disks within the aggregate, aiding in identification and management, especially beneficial in complex RAID configurations.
The ability to visually differentiate physical drives within an aggregate is crucial for administrators and advanced users. This distinction simplifies tasks such as identifying a failing drive, monitoring drive performance, and understanding the overall structure of the storage array. Historically, managing complex drive configurations required in-depth technical knowledge and command-line tools. Visual representations via color-coding within disk utility software enhance usability and accessibility, making these powerful features available to a wider range of users.