Overview

 

The SR4-B32 is a 4-bay hardware RAID enclosure engineered for professional workflows that demand data protection and high-bandwidth USB-C connectivity. It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (up to 20Gbps) and connects to Thunderbolt™ 3/4 computers via their USB-C ports as a USB storage device, as well as USB 10Gbps/5Gbps hosts.

 

A dedicated hardware RAID controller enables RAID 5 protection (plus BIG, JBOD, and RAID 0). For continuous-duty reliability, the SR4-B32 integrates a 150W internal PSU, active cooling, and hot-swappable, lockable drive trays.

 

Features

 

1. Interface & Performance

 

● Connectivity: USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2).

 

● Thunderbolt™ 3/4 Host Use: Compatible via TB3/TB4 USB-C ports as a USB storage device.

 

● Link Speed: Up to 20Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2); see FAQ Q7 for link-speed negotiation requirements.

 

2. RAID & Data Protection

 

● Hardware Controller: RAID logic handled independently of host CPU.

 

● Supported Modes: RAID 0 (Striping), RAID 5 (Parity), JBOD (Independent), BIG (Spanning).

 

● Fault Tolerance: RAID 5 mode maintains data accessibility during a single drive failure.

 

● Rebuild Logic: Automatically initiates rebuild after inserting a replacement drive.

 

3. Hardware & Monitoring

 

● Windows Management GUI (Windows only): Tracks array status, alerts, and rebuild progress; RAID mode is configured via physical hardware controls only.

 

 

● Drive Support: 4x SATA III (6Gb/s) bays supports 3.5” HDDs and 2.5” HDDs/SSDs.

 

 

● Visual Diagnostics: LED indicators for Power, Drive Activity, and Drive Failure.

 

● Rebuild Tracking: 4-step progress LEDs (25% / 50% / 75% / 100%).

 

● Alert System: Integrated buzzer for critical errors; includes a physical Mute (ON/OFF) switch.

 

● Thermal Control: 80mm cooling fan with a rear-mounted High/Low speed switch.

 

4. OS & Workflow Compatibility

 

● Desktop OS: Plug-and-play support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

 

 

 

● Mobile Workflow: Compatible with Easy Data Vault for direct backup/restore operations with USB-C iPhone and iPad devices.

Buying Guide and Comparison Checklist

 

Decision area	What to check	Why it matters	Practical buying tip
Host interface	USB-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) vs Gen 2x2 (20Gbps); Thunderbolt™ 3/4 host use (as USB device)	Determines peak link speed. USB 3.2 defines 5/10/20Gbps tiers.	If you have mixed laptops/desktops, prioritize USB 20Gbps (Gen 2x2) but confirm your host PC actually supports 20Gbps (many USB-C ports are limited to 10Gbps).
Thunderbolt™ 3/4 compatibility	Can it plug into TB3/TB4 ports ?	Thunderbolt ports are designed to accept USB peripherals; performance follows USB negotiation.	Treat TB3/TB4 as a universal USB-C port for connectivity, but expect USB speeds unless the device is a true Thunderbolt device.
RAID support	Hardware RAID levels (RAID 0/1/5/10 + JBOD/BIG) vs JBOD-only	Hardware RAID provides OS-independent protection and predictable performance.	If you need fault tolerance, choose the SR4-B32 (RAID 5). JBOD-only models (like ST4-B32) are for expansion, not data protection.
Capacity scaling (4-bay)	Drive types (HDD/SSD), and max capacity	4-bay arrays scale to tens of TBs depending on drive size and RAID level	For the best value per TB, HDD RAID 5 is typical. For maximum performance, use SSDs with RAID 0.
Thermal design	Fan size & Chassis material	Sustains performance and drive longevity under long writes/RAID rebuilds	Prefer large fans (80mm+) and metal chassis for quieter, cooler continuous operation
OS compatibility	Windows / macOS / Linux support; any vendor utility dependencies	Avoid workflow friction	If a Windows tool exists, assume it is monitoring, unless explicitly documented for configuration
Target use case	Post, backup, shuttle, lab datasets	Drives the “right RAID + right port” decision	Map the workflow first (required RAID + required host port tier)

 

Applications

 

1. DIT Ingest & Studio Handoff

 

Streamline the field-to-post pipeline. Technicians can ingest footage on-set using Thunderbolt™ 3/4 laptops, then physically transport the unit to the studio to plug into USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 workstations.

 

2. Hybrid Mac & PC Project Drive

 

The ultimate cross-platform bridge. The SR4-B32 acts as a universal project volume that moves seamlessly between Thunderbolt laptops (for review/analysis) and USB-C bench PCs (for capture/editing). It eliminates the need for network transfers or adapters when exchanging assets between Engineering, Design, and Video teams.

 

3. Portable RAID 5 "Archive Shuttle"

 

Safely transport massive datasets between office locations without the risk of a single drive failure causing data loss. The array maintains RAID 5 parity during transit; if a drive is damaged, the volume remains accessible in "degraded mode" and rebuilds automatically once the drive is replaced.

 

4. 4K/8K Video Post-Production

 

A high-throughput solution for video editing, rendering, and proxy generation. Whether serving as the primary project volume for a docked laptop editing station or a desktop tower, the SR4-B32 delivers the consistent bandwidth required for high-resolution media workflows.

 

5. Scientific Research & Analysis

 

Reliable storage for critical data logging. Capture experimental data on a laboratory bench PC, then move the entire enclosure to a Thunderbolt-equipped laptop for analysis. The fault-tolerant design ensures that long-running datasets remain secure throughout the transfer process.

 

6. Enterprise Backup & Archiving

 

A scalable target for workstation imaging and long-term asset retention. With high capacity and hardware redundancy, the SR4-B32 mitigates the risk of disk failure, making it an ideal local backup destination for small servers and creative workstations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q1: How does the SR4-B32 compare with other STARDOM 4-bay storage models?

 

A: The SR4-B32 is the hardware RAID option in STARDOM’s 4-bay lineup, adding RAID modes (including RAID 5) for data protection and sustained workflow continuity. By contrast, ST4-B31 and ST4-B32 are JBOD enclosures designed for independent-drive expansion (no RAID). For connectivity, all three use USB-C; SR4-B32 can also be used with Thunderbolt™ 3/4 hosts when connected as a USB storage device (performance follows USB negotiation).

 

 

Feature	ST4-B31	ST4-B32	SR4-B32
Model Type	4-bay JBOD storage	4-bay JBOD storage	4-bay Hardware RAID storage
Product Focus	Simple large-capacity JBOD	Enhanced high-speed JBOD	RAID with data protection & performance
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (up to 10Gbps)	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (up to 20Gbps)	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (up to 20Gbps)
Thunderbolt™ 3/4 Host Use	Compatible via TB USB-C ports as a USB device	Compatible via TB USB-C ports as a USB device	Compatible via TB USB-C ports as a USB device
RAID Support	JBOD only	JBOD only	BIG / JBOD / RAID 0 / RAID 5
Drive Bays	4 × SATA 6Gb/s HDD/SSD	4 × SATA 6Gb/s HDD/SSD	4 × SATA 6Gb/s HDD/SSD
Hot-Swappable Drives	Yes	Yes	Yes
Touch Button	Yes	No	No
Individual Drive Power Switches	Yes	Yes	No
LED Indicators	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cooling Fan	Low-noise fan	Adjustable low-noise fan	Adjustable low-noise fan
Mobile Backup Support	Yes (Easy Data Vault)	Yes (Easy Data Vault)	Yes (Easy Data Vault)
Best For	Basic large-capacity storage	High-speed large-capacity storage	High-performance RAID storage with protection

 

Q2: Which RAID modes does the SR4-B32 support?

 

A: The SR4-B32 supports BIG, JBOD, RAID 0, and RAID 5, allowing you to optimize for capacity aggregation, independent volumes, maximum performance, or parity-based protection.

 

Q3: What happens if a drive fails in RAID 5 mode?

 

A: The array enters a degraded state but remains accessible (read/write performance may be reduced). Replace the failed drive with a compatible drive, and the controller will automatically initiate rebuild to restore redundancy.

 

Q4: Does the SR4-B32 support hot-swapping?

 

A: Yes. The SR4-B32 features hot-swappable, lockable drive trays, enabling drive replacement without shutting down the enclosure (best practice: follow your standard RAID replacement/rebuild procedure).

 

Q5: How do I monitor system status?

 

A: RAID mode is selected exclusively via the physical hardware switch on the enclosure. A Windows monitoring utility is available to track array/enclosure status, event alerts, and rebuild progress, while front-panel indicators provide at-a-glance status across platforms.

 

Q6: Does SR4-B32 work with Thunderbolt™ 3/4 computers?

 

A: Yes. SR4-B32 can be used with Thunderbolt 3/4 USB-C ports as a USB storage device. No special adapter is typically required—use a suitable USB-C cable and connect directly to the host.

 

Q7: What is the maximum transfer speed, and what affects real-world throughput?

 

A: SR4-B32 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (up to 20Gbps), but the actual link runs at the highest USB mode supported end-to-end by the host port/controller, cable, and device (20/10/5Gbps). When used with Thunderbolt™ 3/4 computers, it connects as a USB storage device, so the same USB negotiation rules apply.

 

Q8: Is the cooling fan adjustable?

 

A: Yes. The built-in 80mm fan includes a rear High/Low speed switch so users can balance cooling headroom and acoustics.

 

Q9: What operating systems and mobile workflows are supported?

 

A: SR4-B32 supports Windows, macOS, and Linux for desktop workflows. For mobile use cases, it is compatible with Easy Data Vault for direct backup/restore operations with USB-C iPhone and iPad devices.

 

Performance test result for reference. The test result will vary depend on the test environment.

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