Sans Digital EliteSTOR ES104X+B Drive Enclosure

The Sans Digital EliteSTOR ES104X+B Drive Enclosure combines a compact 1U rack-mountable footprint with a high-bandwidth mini-SAS host interface, delivering the performance and reliability essential for demanding storage workloads. Built for professional environments such as data centers, media production facilities, and enterprise IT rooms, the ES104X+B is designed to maximize throughput when paired with a capable RAID controller card. With four drive bays and a robust SFF-8088 mini-SAS connection, this enclosure makes it possible to scale your storage infrastructure without compromising on speed or manageability. It’s an ideal solution for professionals who require fast data access, streamlined backups, and dependable storage expansion in a space-efficient chassis.

• High-bandwidth mini-SAS host interface (SFF-8088). The ES104X+B uses a single mini-SAS connection to deliver high data-transfer rates with compatible RAID controllers, minimizing bottlenecks and enabling smooth handling of large files, multi-stream video, backups, virtualization storage, and other demanding workloads.
• 1U, 4-bay rack-mount design. Engineered for dense rack deployments, this enclosure provides four drive bays within a compact 1U chassis, making it easy to scale capacity in existing server rooms or data centers while preserving critical rack space for other equipment.
• Blazing transfer rates with the right controller. When paired with a high-performance RAID controller, the ES104X+B can achieve transfer speeds up to 2400 MB/s, unlocking fast data access, rapid large-file transfers, and efficient streaming for professional applications.
• Supports 6G SAS or SATA drives. Flexible drive support allows you to choose between SAS or SATA hard drives (and compatible solid-state options where appropriate), enabling cost-effective storage expansion or high-performance configurations depending on your workflow needs.
• Durable, enterprise-ready construction. The ES104X+B is designed to withstand the rigors of professional storage environments, offering reliable operation in data centers, server rooms, and lab settings with a black, understated finish that blends with standard equipment racks.

Technical Details of Sans Digital EliteSTOR ES104X+B Drive Enclosure

• Chassis type: 1U rack-mountable desktop-style enclosure designed to fit standard 19-inch racks.
• Drive bays: 4 bays, providing scalable capacity within a compact form factor.
• Host interface: Single mini-SAS connection (SFF-8088) for high-throughput data transfer to a RAID controller or host system.
• Performance: Up to approximately 2400 MB/s transfer rate when used with a high-performance RAID controller card and appropriate drives.
• Drive support: 6G SAS or SATA hard drives supported by the enclosure, enabling versatile storage configurations.
• Finish and mounting: Black exterior with a chassis designed for reliable rack integration and long-term durability.
• Notes: Specifications are subject to SKU variations and may differ by product listing; refer to the supplier’s specifications for exact values by UPC/SKU reference.

How to Install Sans Digital EliteSTOR ES104X+B

Installing the EliteSTOR ES104X+B is straightforward and designed to integrate with existing storage infrastructure. The steps below outline a typical setup path that emphasizes safety, compatibility, and performance optimization. Always consult your RAID controller documentation for best practices related to volume creation and redundancy settings.

1) Prepare the rack and enclosure. Secure the ES104X+B in a standard 19-inch rack using appropriate mounting rails or brackets if included with your purchase. Ensure the rack area around the enclosure is clear for ventilation and cable management.

2) Connect the host interface. Use a suitable mini-SAS cable (SFF-8088) to connect the ES104X+B’s host port to your RAID controller or host adapter. Confirm that the controller is powered down before making connections to prevent any data loss or hardware damage.

3) Install drives (if not pre-populated). If you are adding drives to the four bays, install SAS or SATA drives into each bay according to the enclosure’s drive installation guidelines. Ensure the drives are firmly seated and aligned with the drive backplanes, and follow any manufacturer instructions for secure mounting or tray installation.

4) Power and verify. Connect the enclosure to a suitable power source and power on the system. Check the RAID controller’s management interface to verify the ES104X+B is detected. If needed, initialize or import the enclosure as a storage device in your RAID configuration utility.

5) Configure storage with redundancy. Create your desired RAID array (for example, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, or other supported levels depending on your controller) and format the logical volume for your operating system. Establish any performance-related settings such as stripe size, write-back caching, and hot-spare drives as recommended by your controller vendor and workload requirements.

6) Optimize for your workload. Consider aligning drive types with your I/O profile—use faster drives or SSDs for hot data and larger-capacity SAS/SATA HDDs for archival storage. Implement monitoring and alerting to stay informed about drive health, enclosure temperature, and power status. Regular firmware and driver updates for both the RAID controller and the enclosure can help maintain optimal performance and reliability.

7) Plan for maintenance. Establish a maintenance window for firmware updates or configuration changes, and document your RAID settings and drive inventory. Proper cable routing and airflow management will help maintain thermal performance and reduce the risk of overheating in dense rack environments.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What drives are compatible with the ES104X+B? A: The enclosure supports 6G SAS or SATA drives. Depending on your RAID controller and rack setup, you can mix drive types to achieve your desired balance of capacity and performance.
• Q: What performance can I expect? A: When paired with a high-performance RAID controller, the ES104X+B can achieve transfer rates up to about 2400 MB/s, enabling fast data access and efficient large-file operations for workflows such as video editing, data backup, and virtualization.
• Q: Do I need a separate RAID controller? A: Yes. The ES104X+B provides the enclosure interface and drive bays, but achieving peak transfer speeds and RAID protection requires a compatible RAID controller card installed in the host system or server.
• Q: Is this enclosure suitable for rack deployments? A: Absolutely. The 1U form factor is designed for standard 19-inch racks, making it ideal for data centers, IT closets, and lab environments where space efficiency and organization matter.
• Q: Can I use SSDs with this enclosure? A: You can use SAS or SATA drives, including solid-state options that are compatible with your RAID controller. Ensure the controller supports SSDs and that the enclosure and cabling are configured to accommodate the higher throughput and different endurance characteristics of SSDs.
• Q: Are cables included with the enclosure? A: Cable inclusion varies by supplier and SKU. You may need to supply a compatible mini-SAS (SFF-8088) cable to connect the enclosure to your RAID controller or host adapter. Verify your package contents with the seller before purchase.