I love the TB 3 / 4 + USB connectivity, but wonder if there's a version with RAID 1 on the market. Kinda like a NAS reliability with Thunderbolt speeds.
Yes, there are many RAID1 enclosures on the market - coming with or without disks. Seriously, google it. :)
NASes are not about "reliability" (protection against disk failure). This comes from the redundant data storage, which NASes often use. That's it. You buy a NAS specifically because you want to access it over a network.
I've googled, but don't see Thunderbolt 4 + Raid 1 combos. Most NAS style enclosures use legacy USB-A port + Ethernet, while most Thunderbolt 4 devices have the speed, but lack RAID 1.
There's no reason to wait for TB4 iteration if you're after an external drive (without a hub, monitor output etc). TB3 and TB4 have the same speed and same power delivery. Nothing important for an external drive changes and there's no reason for companies to update these products (other than just bragging).
The only way to get hardware RAID 1 for TB-attached NVMe drives is using the Marvell 88NR2241 NVMe switch. Products based around that chip only just started to ship in the past few months. Putting it in a TB product for RAID1 isn't exactly the top priority for the companies that have been clamoring for that chip, and I'm not sure how well it would work for a bus-powered drive anyways.
After some reports of dual-mode external drives requiring third-party device drivers, I gave up on the idea of commodity Thunderbolt stuff.
I am back in the Mac zone after using Linux and Windows for 8+ years. I coughed up the price premium and purchased one these drives. They are shipping as soon as CES winds up; should get here some time next week.
I've been buying stuff from OWC for decades. Pricey but excellent support and QA.
I wish this used the Goshen Ridge Thunderbolt 4 device controller. It would mean u could use it as a Thunderbolt 3 device or USB4 device with the full 40G bandwidth available.
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crazy_vag - Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - link
I love the TB 3 / 4 + USB connectivity, but wonder if there's a version with RAID 1 on the market. Kinda like a NAS reliability with Thunderbolt speeds.notb - Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - link
Yes, there are many RAID1 enclosures on the market - coming with or without disks.Seriously, google it. :)
NASes are not about "reliability" (protection against disk failure). This comes from the redundant data storage, which NASes often use. That's it. You buy a NAS specifically because you want to access it over a network.
crazy_vag - Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - link
I've googled, but don't see Thunderbolt 4 + Raid 1 combos. Most NAS style enclosures use legacy USB-A port + Ethernet, while most Thunderbolt 4 devices have the speed, but lack RAID 1.bobbypanda - Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - link
You can try this: https://oyendigital.com/mobius-pro-2c-2-bay-usb-c-... or another one of this company’s offerings.It’s a DAS over USB 3.1 G2/TB3 though.
I have this one and really like it: https://oyendigital.com/minipro-raid-v3-561.html
crazy_vag - Tuesday, February 2, 2021 - link
Would be great if these didn't require an external AC adapter and just used the 15 W from TB ports. Is 15 W enough for two NVME drives + controllers?notb - Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - link
There's no reason to wait for TB4 iteration if you're after an external drive (without a hub, monitor output etc).TB3 and TB4 have the same speed and same power delivery. Nothing important for an external drive changes and there's no reason for companies to update these products (other than just bragging).
Billy Tallis - Thursday, January 14, 2021 - link
The only way to get hardware RAID 1 for TB-attached NVMe drives is using the Marvell 88NR2241 NVMe switch. Products based around that chip only just started to ship in the past few months. Putting it in a TB product for RAID1 isn't exactly the top priority for the companies that have been clamoring for that chip, and I'm not sure how well it would work for a bus-powered drive anyways.watersb - Thursday, January 14, 2021 - link
After some reports of dual-mode external drives requiring third-party device drivers, I gave up on the idea of commodity Thunderbolt stuff.I am back in the Mac zone after using Linux and Windows for 8+ years. I coughed up the price premium and purchased one these drives. They are shipping as soon as CES winds up; should get here some time next week.
I've been buying stuff from OWC for decades. Pricey but excellent support and QA.
KimGitz - Thursday, January 14, 2021 - link
I wish this used the Goshen Ridge Thunderbolt 4 device controller. It would mean u could use it as a Thunderbolt 3 device or USB4 device with the full 40G bandwidth available.