CRU RAX RAX848-XJ Drive Enclosure - 4U Rack-Mountable with Mini-SAS Host Interface

The CRU RAX RAX848-XJ Drive Enclosure is engineered to deliver massive storage capacity in a compact 4U chassis, making it an ideal solution for data centers, workstation farms, media production studios, and enterprise archives. This 16-bay, 2.5-inch drive enclosure provides expansive external storage with ultra-fast data transfer capabilities, designed to support demanding workloads without sacrificing reliability or scalability. Its Mini-SAS host interface ensures high-bandwidth connectivity to servers, controllers, or storage networks, enabling efficient data movement across large arrays. Built for resilience and easy integration into existing racks, the RAX848-XJ is a practical choice for organizations that need substantial raw storage with flexible deployment options. While it ships in a Non-RAID configuration, it is compatible with a wide range of software RAID or JBOD configurations managed by the host controller, empowering you to tailor storage topology to your workflow. Whether you’re expanding a backup reservoir, streaming media libraries, or powering analytics pipelines, this enclosure is designed to keep up with evolving data demands while staying straightforward to install and manage.

• Massive 16-bay storage: A 16 x 2.5" drive bay chassis packs substantial capacity into a compact 4U footprint, enabling large-scale storage expansion without needing additional shelves or enclosures.
• High-bandwidth Mini-SAS interface: The Mini-SAS host interface delivers multi-lane performance for parallel data transfers, reducing bottlenecks when moving large files or streaming data to and from the enclosure.
• Rack-ready 4U form factor: Engineered for standard 19-inch racks, the enclosure integrates cleanly into data centers and editing suites where space optimization and reliability matter.
• Non-RAID architecture by design: Operates without built-in RAID within the enclosure, presenting raw disks to the host so you can implement software RAID or JBOD configurations exactly as your environment requires.
• External storage for diverse workloads: Perfect for media workflows, backups, virtual environments, data analytics, and archival storage, delivering scalable capacity with consistent performance.

Technical Details of CRU RAX RAX848-XJ

• Bays: 16 x 2.5" drive bays for high-density external storage expansion.
• Form Factor: 4U rack-mountable enclosure designed to fit standard server racks.
• Interface: Mini-SAS host interface enabling high-throughput connectivity to servers, controllers, or storage infrastructure.
• Drive Compatibility: Supports 2.5" HDDs (with the backplane configuration aligning to HDD specifications); SSD support is dependent on the backplane and controller compatibility—verify with product documentation for mixed-drive setups.
• Data Configuration: Non-RAID by design; raw disks are presented to the host for software RAID, JBOD, or other host-managed configurations.
• Storage Density: High-density 16-disk array in a compact 4U enclosure, optimized for scalable expansion without sacrificing footprint.
• Performance Characteristics: Engineered for fast, reliable data transfer over the Mini-SAS interface, suitable for workloads requiring steady throughput across many disks.

how to install CRU RAX RAX848-XJ

• Prepare your rack space with a compatible 19-inch rack and ensure you have the necessary mounting rails or ears. Verify the area has adequate ventilation and accessible power supply options to support a 4U enclosure and multiple drives.
• Mount the enclosure in the rack: Slide the chassis into the rack rails and secure it with the appropriate screws. Confirm the enclosure is firmly seated and level to prevent vibration or misalignment during operation.
• Install the 16 x 2.5" HDDs: Open each drive bay, slide in the drives, and attach them to backplane connectors as required by the chassis design. Use the provided drive trays or mounting hardware to secure drives, ensuring firm engagement with the backplane to avoid connection issues.
• Connect the Mini-SAS cables: Attach the Mini-SAS cables from your host controller, server backplane, or storage switch to the enclosure’s backplane interface. Use cables of appropriate length and pin configuration per your bandwidth needs and system topology.
• Power up and verify: Connect the enclosure to a reliable power source and power on. Confirm that the host detects the enclosure and that all drives are recognized. Since the design is Non-RAID, format and mount each drive via your operating system or storage management software, then configure your preferred software RAID or JBOD strategy at the host level. Perform firmware checks and apply updates if available to ensure compatibility and stability.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the total usable capacity of the CRU RAX RAX848-XJ? The enclosure provides 16 bays for 2.5" drives, so total usable capacity depends on the drives you install. Since the enclosure is Non-RAID by design, capacity is determined by the host-side configuration, file system choices, and the RAID or JBOD strategy you implement with your controller or software stack.
• Is this enclosure RAID-enabled? No. The RAX848-XJ is designed for Non-RAID operation, presenting raw disks to the host. RAID or JBOD configurations are managed by the host controller or software, not by the enclosure itself.
• What kind of interface connects to a server? It uses a Mini-SAS host interface, which provides high-bandwidth, multi-lane connectivity suitable for handling throughput across multiple disks in parallel.
• Can I mix HDDs and SSDs in the same enclosure? The product description specifies HDD support. SSD compatibility depends on the backplane and controller specifications. If you plan to mix drive types, verify backplane compatibility and supported drive types with the vendor or product documentation before purchase.
• What workloads is the CRU RAX RAX848-XJ best suited for? This enclosure excels in external storage applications requiring high disk density and reliable throughput, such as media asset libraries, backups and archival storage, data analytics staging, and large-scale media processing pipelines where raw disk access is advantageous and software-level storage management is preferred.