iStarUSA BPN-DE350HD Drive Enclosure for 5.25" - 12Gb/s SATA/SAS Trayless Hot-Swap Rack

Discover the iStarUSA BPN-DE350HD, a rugged, trayless drive enclosure engineered to unlock flexible storage expansion in a compact 5.25" footprint. This high-performance rack converts three 5.25" bays into a hot-swap ecosystem for up to five 3.5" HDDs, making it ideal for workstations, archival systems, media studios, and compact servers. Built with an integrative aluminum design, it maximizes cooling efficiency and reliability while delivering rapid data transfer across SAS and SATA interfaces. The black anodized finish complements most chassis and cabinets, while the aluminum front bezel features a secure metal key lock to help safeguard critical drives in open environments. Whether you are building a budget-friendly storage server, upgrading a workstation for video editing, or expanding a NAS/ DAS setup, the BPN-DE350HD provides dependable, scalable storage with a streamlined, trayless operation.

• Trayless design: Quickly swap drives without removable trays, converting 3x 5.25" bays into a hot-swap pool for up to 5x 3.5" HDDs, reducing maintenance time during large data transfers and routine upgrades.
• Broad drive compatibility: Supports SAS I/II/III and SATA I/II/III hard drives, enabling mixed-drive configurations and future-proofing for evolving storage needs while maintaining solid performance.
• High-efficiency cooling: Integrative aluminum chassis doubles as a heat sink, promoting efficient airflow across drives and minimizing thermal throttling during sustained workloads for longer drive life.
• Security and ruggedness: Aluminum front bezel with a sturdy metal key lock provides physical security to deter tampering in shared or open environments, while maintaining easy access for authorized personnel.
• Compact, robust build: Internal 12Gb/s capable backplane and heavy-duty aluminum frame deliver reliable, scalable storage expansion in a space-saving 5.25" form factor suitable for desktops, workstations, and compact server racks.

Technical Details of iStarUSA BPN-DE350HD

• Drive bays: Trayless 3x 5.25" to 5x 3.5" HDD hot-swap rack for flexible capacity and rapid upgrades
• Host interface: Internal Serial ATA/600 (6Gb/s) with compatibility for SAS I/II/III controllers and SATA I/II/III devices
• Performance: High-speed backplane designed to support transfer rates up to 12Gb/s across compatible interfaces
• Construction: Aluminum frame with an aluminum front bezel for strength, heat dissipation, and a professional finish
• Security: Front bezel features a metal key lock to help secure drives in open or shared environments
• Color: Black (anodized) to blend with most equipment racks and chassis
• Cooling: Integrated heat sink architecture supports continuous operation under demanding workloads
• Compatibility: Suitable for use in standard 5.25" bays in desktops, workstations, and compact servers

how to install iStarUSA BPN-DE350HD

• Power down your host system and unplug all cables before installing the enclosure. Safety first ensures data integrity and prevents hardware damage.
• Identify an available 5.25" bay in your desktop, workstation, or server chassis and remove any faceplates or blanking panels as needed.
• Slide the BPN-DE350HD into the 5.25" bay, aligning the backplane connectors with the system’s internal SAS/SATA controller cables. Gently secure the unit with mounting screws if required.
• Connect the internal SAS/SATA cables from your motherboard or RAID controller to the enclosure’s backplane ports. Ensure firm, clean connections to prevent intermittent drive detection.
• Install your 3.5" drives into the 5x drive slots supported by the trayless design. The drives should seat firmly with no excess force; close the front bezel and lock using the included key.
• Power on the system and enter your OS’s disk management utility to initialize and format the new drives as needed. Confirm that all 3.5" drives are detected and operating at expected speeds.
• Configure any RAID or storage pool settings appropriate for your workflow (e.g., RAID 0 for performance, RAID 5/6 for redundancy, or JBOD for raw capacity).
• Monitor drive temperatures and performance during the initial usage period. If temperatures rise excessively, improve airflow around the chassis or adjust fan settings if applicable.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Does the BPN-DE350HD support hot swapping? A: Yes. The trayless design is specifically built for hot-swapping drives, allowing you to replace or add 3.5" drives without powering down the system in many configurations. Always follow your host controller and OS guidance for safe hot-swapping.
• Q: Which drives are compatible? A: The enclosure supports SAS I/II/III and SATA I/II/III hard drives. It is designed to accommodate 3.5" drives within the 5x bay configuration, enabling flexible mixed-drive setups.
• Q: Is there a physical lock for security? A: Yes. The aluminum front bezel includes a metal key lock to deter tampering in shared environments and protect the drives when the system is unattended.
• Q: What kind of performance can I expect? A: The enclosure uses a high-speed backplane with support for SAS/SATA interfaces at up to 12Gb/s, delivering fast data transfers across compatible controllers and drives. Actual throughput depends on the drives and host controller in use.
• Q: Do I need any special cables or drivers? A: In most cases, no special drivers are required for basic drive detection. The device operates as a standard backplane back to the host controller. Ensure you have the appropriate SAS/SATA data and power connections for your system.