I just purchased and installed my unRAID PLUS license which allows me to have a total of 5 data drives. My setup currently has one parity and 3 data drives. I'd like to add the final two and maybe a cache drive (not sure exactly how a cache drive helps) via a setup I put together from Addonics which consists of a separately powered case containing an Addonics Port Multiplier with an Addonics hot swap 5 hard disk bay. The Addonics PM case connects via an Addonics eSATA cable to an Addonics branded PCIe 1x dual port eSATA controller card (a Silicon Image 3132) which is installed (and currently unused) in my unRAID server box. (I was using this hardware on my main Ubuntu 9.10 desktop, but I'm thinking it might be put to better use on the unRAID server).

 

I see that the hardware wiki mentions an Addonics Port Multiplier, but it doesn't seem to state how well it works, if at all.

 

Since I don't want to mess up my existing unRAID array, before I plug it in to my server, can anyone tell me:

 

1. Will unRAID 4.5 recognize and properly control drives plugged in via the setup outlined above?

 

2. If the answer to question 1 is YES, would I be correct in assuming that the external Addonics PM case and drives must be left powered on at all times?

 

Thank, in advance, for any enlightenment.

I just purchased and installed my unRAID PLUS license which allows me to have a total of 5 data drives. My setup currently has one parity and 3 data drives. I'd like to add the final two and maybe a cache drive (not sure exactly how a cache drive helps) via a setup I put together from Addonics which consists of a separately powered case containing an Addonics Port Multiplier with an Addonics hot swap 5 hard disk bay. The Addonics PM case connects via an Addonics eSATA cable to an Addonics branded PCIe 1x dual port eSATA controller card (a Silicon Image 3132) which is installed (and currently unused) in my unRAID server box. (I was using this hardware on my main Ubuntu 9.10 desktop, but I'm thinking it might be put to better use on the unRAID server).

 

I see that the hardware wiki mentions an Addonics Port Multiplier, but it doesn't seem to state how well it works, if at all.

 

Since I don't want to mess up my existing unRAID array, before I plug it in to my server, can anyone tell me:

 

1. Will unRAID 4.5 recognize and properly control drives plugged in via the setup outlined above?

 

2. If the answer to question 1 is YES, would I be correct in assuming that the external Addonics PM case and drives must be left powered on at all times?

 

Thank, in advance, for any enlightenment.

You are unlikely to do damage to your existing array unless you start hot-plugging cables and drives.  unRAID is not hot-plug capable.

 

Yes, the external case must be left powered up once the drives in it are assigned to the unRAID array.

 

Joe L.

1. Will unRAID 4.5 recognize and properly control drives plugged in via the setup outlined above?

 

Recognize, Highly Likely. Check the chipset. The SIL3132 is recognized and reliable.

I don't know which PMP you've selected, chances are if it is a silicon image chipset it will work.

 

2. If the answer to question 1 is YES, would I be correct in assuming that the external Addonics PM case and drives must be left powered on at all times?

 

The case must be left on.

The drives can be put into standby (spindown) by software