CRU RTX220-3QR: RAID Enclosure with Two TrayFree Bays and USB 3.0

The CRU RTX220-3QR is a premium hardware RAID enclosure designed to deliver reliable, high-speed external storage for workgroups, small and medium businesses, and home offices. Engineered for backup excellence and fast data access, this two-bay, tray-free enclosure brings enterprise-grade RAID features to a compact, easy-to-use form factor. With versatile connectivity—USB 3.0/2.0, eSATA, and FireWire 800—it adapts to a wide range of systems while delivering the performance you need for backups, media libraries, archiving, and shared workloads. Whether you’re safeguarding critical documents, editing high-resolution media, or hosting a shared storage pool for a team, the RTX220-3QR helps you get the job done quickly and confidently.

• The RTX220-3QR is a high-performance RAID enclosure built around two trayfree bays for effortless, tool-free drive installation and replacement. This design minimizes downtime during maintenance or drive replacement and keeps your workflow uninterrupted by letting you swap drives on the fly without screws or trays.
• It offers broad, flexible connectivity to cover modern and legacy systems alike. USB 3.0 delivers blistering data transfer speeds for quick backups and large file transfers, while USB 2.0 maintains compatibility with older machines. In addition, eSATA and FireWire 800 provide alternative pathways for fast external storage, media streaming, and cross-platform compatibility—making the RTX220-3QR a versatile backbone for backups, media editing suites, and distributed workgroups.
• Designed for data protection and performance, the RTX220-3QR supports hardware RAID configurations that balance speed and redundancy. With hardware-based RAID, you can configure for enhanced performance with RAID 0 or maximize resilience with RAID 1, while leaving JBOD as an option for non-RAID storage. This ensures your critical files stay safer even in demanding operating environments, with straightforward management that doesn’t rely on a single host computer.
• Ideal for SMBs and home offices, this enclosure is more than just extra storage. It serves as a reliable backup gateway for workgroups, a central storage pool for shared media and documents, and a long-term archiving solution. Its robust cooling, stable power delivery, and indicators help IT teams monitor health and activity at a glance, reducing the risk of silent failures and ensuring continuity across the business day.
• Compact and durable, the RTX220-3QR combines a space-saving footprint with dependable performance. Its design is crafted to fit desktops, workstations, or small server rooms while maintaining quiet operation and energy efficiency. The result is a scalable storage solution that grows with your needs—supporting more drives, larger archives, and increased data protection without a dramatic increase in hardware footprint.

Technical Details of CRU RTX220-3QR

• Product type: Hardware RAID enclosure with two trayfree drive bays for quick, tool-free installation and maintenance
• RAID support: Hardware RAID with common configurations (RAID 0, RAID 1) and JBOD option for flexible storage management
• Drive interface: Two drive bays designed for trayfree installation; accepts internal drives compatible with the chassis specifications
• Connectivity: USB 3.0/2.0, eSATA, and FireWire 800 for wide compatibility with contemporary and legacy systems
• Data transfer: USB 3.0 delivers up to theoretical speeds in the 5 Gbps range, enabling rapid backups and large file transfers
• Power and cooling: External power supply with active cooling designed for reliable operation and extended duty cycles
• LED indicators: Status and activity LEDs for quick health checks and troubleshooting
• Compatibility: Intended for use with Windows and macOS environments; cross-platform file transfer and backup workflows supported via standard interfaces

How to install CRU RTX220-3QR

• Power off your computer and unplug it from the wall outlet. Place the RTX220-3QR on a stable surface near your workstation and ensure adequate airflow around the enclosure.
• Prepare your drives. If you are using two new drives, remove any packaging and accessories. If you are upgrading or replacing drives, back up any critical data before removal.
• Open the enclosure by accessing the two trayfree bays. Insert each drive into a bay, ensuring it seats firmly and aligns with the connector interface. The trayfree design allows you to install drives without a mounting tray or screws.
• Connect the enclosure to your computer using your preferred interface. You can start with USB 3.0 for maximum compatibility and performance. If you need additional bandwidth or alternate connection options, connect via eSATA or FireWire 800 as supported by your system.
• Power on the enclosure. Use the power switch and wait for the device to initialize. The built-in status indicators will reflect drive detection and health.
• Configure the RAID. Depending on the firmware and controller options, access the hardware RAID setup utility to choose RAID 0, RAID 1, or JBOD. If your workflow requires, initialize the array and format the volumes for your operating system. Follow on-screen prompts to complete the configuration.
• Format and mount the volumes on your computer. After RAID initialization, go to your disk management utility (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) to format the new volumes with your preferred file system (for example NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, or APFS) and assign drive letters or mount points.
• Install backup or media software as needed. Point your backup software to the new RAID volume, set up automated schedules, and confirm that data is being written to the correct drive array. If sharing across multiple users, set appropriate permissions and access controls.
• Regularly monitor the enclosure. Check the LED indicators for drive activity and health. Schedule periodic drive health checks and firmware updates to maintain performance and protection. Keep spare drives on hand for rapid replacement in case of a drive failure.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What interfaces does the CRU RTX220-3QR support?

  A: The RTX220-3QR supports USB 3.0/2.0, eSATA, and FireWire 800, providing broad compatibility with modern and older systems for backup and external storage tasks.

• Q: How many drives does it hold and what kind of bays are these?

  A: It features two trayfree drive bays, allowing tool-free installation and quick drive replacement without caddies or screws, making maintenance fast and simple.

• Q: Can I configure RAID levels on this enclosure?

  A: Yes. The RTX220-3QR includes hardware RAID options, typically including RAID 0 for performance and RAID 1 for redundancy, with JBOD as a non-RAID option depending on firmware. This provides a balance between performance, protection, and capacity.

• Q: Is this suitable for SMB backups and home office use?

  A: Absolutely. With two bays, multiple interface options, and hardware RAID, the RTX220-3QR is well-suited for SMB backup strategies, media libraries, and shared storage needs in a home office or small business environment.

• Q: Do I need special software to manage the RAID?

  A: In most cases, the RAID configuration is handled by the enclosure's hardware controller, with the resulting volumes appearing as standard drives to the host OS. Some models may offer optional software utilities for monitoring and maintenance; consult the user guide for specifics.