OWC 48TB ThunderBay 4 Thunderbolt 40Gb/s Enterprise Drive RAID Storage Solution With SoftRAID

Meet the OWC 48TB ThunderBay 4 Thunderbolt storage system—a four‑bay, enterprise‑class RAID solution engineered for professionals who demand speed, reliability, and scalable capacity. Built around a rugged aluminum enclosure and the unmatched performance of Thunderbolt 3, this is a complete external storage powerhouse designed to handle heavy creative workloads, multi‑camera workflows, large photo libraries, and mission‑critical backups. With SoftRAID software included, you gain powerful RAID management, fast rebuild times, and granular control over data protection and performance, all in a compact, workstation‑friendly chassis.

• Experience blistering Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s) performance for real‑time video edits, color grading, 4K and 6K workflows, and large media transfers with minimal latency and smooth playback.
• Leverage flexible, enterprise‑grade RAID capabilities through SoftRAID, including RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 10 and more, with easy hot‑swap drive replacement and resilience against drive failure.
• Maximize capacity with a total of 48TB in a four‑bay configuration (4 x 12TB drives) or customize to your needs by swapping drives for higher or lower totals, all while keeping your data protected and accessible.
• Benefit from dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for high‑speed daisy chaining of additional storage devices, docks, or displays, enabling a streamlined, expandable workstation setup without extra hubs or adapters.
• Enjoy cross‑platform versatility with SoftRAID support on macOS and Windows, ensuring your team can collaborate across environments with a consistent, reliable storage solution.

Technical Details of OWC 48TB ThunderBay 4 Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) Enterprise Drive RAID Storage Solution With SoftRAID

• Interface: Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s) for ultra‑fast data transfers and seamless multi‑stream workflows.
• Bay count: 4 hot‑swap 3.5" SATA drive bays, designed for easy drive replacement without powering down the unit.
• Storage capacity: Up to 48TB with four 12TB drives installed; total capacity varies with the specific drive configuration you choose.
• RAID technology: SoftRAID software suite included, offering flexible RAID level options and robust drive management features.
• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 3 ports—one for connection to the host computer and one for daisy‑chaining additional devices when needed.
• Power: External power supply to support sustained performance and reliability during intensive workloads.
• Form factor: Desktop external enclosure in a durable, thermally managed aluminum chassis designed to dissipate heat efficiently during long editing sessions.
• Cross‑platform support: Optimized for macOS with SoftRAID; compatible with Windows systems via SoftRAID software and drivers.
• Usage scenarios: Ideal for video editors, colorists, photographers, and creative studios requiring fast access to large media libraries and dependable backups.
• Build and reliability: Enterprise‑grade design with drive‑tray accessibility, tool‑less maintenance, and a focus on minimizing downtime in demanding environments.

how to install OWC 48TB ThunderBay 4 Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) Enterprise Drive RAID Storage Solution With SoftRAID

To get the ThunderBay 4 up and running, start by choosing your preferred drive configuration and assembling or swapping drives in the four hot‑swap bays. Connect the enclosure to your computer using a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Power on the unit with the external power supply. Open SoftRAID on your macOS or Windows system to initialize the array, select your desired RAID level, and format the volume for your operating system. Once configured, your ThunderBay 4 will appear as a high‑speed storage volume ready for immediate data transfer, project storage, or as a centralized media archive. For ongoing operations, use SoftRAID to monitor drive health, perform quick rebuilds after a drive failure, and adjust RAID settings as your workflow evolves. Regular firmware updates and SoftRAID software updates should be applied to maintain optimal performance and data protection.

Frequently asked questions

• What is included with the ThunderBay 4 purchase? A four‑bay Thunderbolt 3 external RAID storage enclosure with SoftRAID software, designed for multi‑drive configurations and high‑speed data transfers. Drive trays and power supply are included; drives are user‑installable or configurable per your needs.
• Can I mix and match drive sizes in the ThunderBay 4? Yes, you can configure the enclosure with different drive capacities, but whole‑volume RAID performance and capacities will depend on the RAID level chosen and the drives installed.
• What RAID levels does SoftRAID support on this device? SoftRAID supports a range of RAID configurations, including common levels like RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 10, plus more advanced options, depending on your performance and redundancy goals.
• Is SoftRAID included for both macOS and Windows? SoftRAID is provided as part of the ThunderBay 4 package and supports macOS and Windows environments, enabling cross‑platform collaboration and consistent data protection across systems.
• How many devices can I chain through Thunderbolt 3? The ThunderBay 4 supports daisy chaining with up to 5–6 devices depending on bandwidth and device requirements, allowing you to expand your workspace without additional hubs.
• What kind of workloads is ThunderBay 4 best suited for? It excels in professional media workflows, including 4K/6K video editing, multi‑camera projects, large photo libraries, backup archives, and general high‑throughput data storage needs where reliability and data protection are critical.