ST8R-B32 – 8-Bay USB-C Dual Hardware RAID Storage

Overview

 

The ST8R-B32 is an 8-bay USB-C DAS with two independent 4-drive hardware RAID groups, allowing separate storage workflows within a single enclosure. Each group supports RAID 0, RAID 5, BIG, or JBOD, enabling active and protected storage to operate side by side. Dedicated hardware RAID controllers manage storage operations directly within the enclosure, eliminating dependence on host-based RAID software.

 

Key Highlights

 

8	2	1	Up to 240TB
Drive Bays	Independent 4-Drive RAID Groups	USB-C Host Connection	Raw Capacity

 

Why Use One ST8R-B32 Instead of Two 4-Bay DAS Systems?

 

Feature	Two Separate 4-Bay DAS Systems	ST8R-B32
Enclosures	2	1
Power Supplies	2	1
Host Connections	Typically 2	1
RAID Environments	2	2
Monitoring	Managed as two devices	Both controllers monitored through one Windows utility
Installation	Two systems to connect and position	One integrated system
Best Fit	Greater physical separation	Simplified dual-workflow storage

 

 

Why ST8R-B32?

 

● Separate Active and Protected Storage

Keep performance-focused and protected data environments independent.

 

● Flexible RAID Per Workflow

Configure G1 and G2 independently as RAID 0, RAID 5, BIG, or JBOD.

 

● Reduce Hardware Footprint

Run two storage workflows without purchasing a second DAS.

 

● Single-Cable Simplicity

Access both RAID groups through one USB-C connection.

 

 

Two RAID Workflows. One Professional DAS.

 

The ST8R-B32 lets creative professionals run active and protected storage side by side without adding a second enclosure.

 

One enclosure.
 

One USB-C connection.
 

Two independent RAID workflows.

 

 

Dual RAID Architecture

 

RAID Group 1	RAID Group 2
Drive 1 + Drive 2 + Drive 3 + Drive 4	Drive 5 + Drive 6 + Drive 7 + Drive 8
RAID 0	RAID 5
Active Projects	Protected Project Storage

 

1. One System. Two Independent Storage Groups.

 

2. G1 and G2 can each be independently configured as RAID 0, RAID 5, BIG, or JBOD.

 

3. Both groups are accessible through the same USB-C connection.

 

Key Features

 

1. Dual Independent Hardware RAID Controllers

 

Two independent hardware RAID controllers allow you to configure and manage two separate RAID arrays simultaneously in a single 8-bay enclosure.

 

2. Flexible RAID Configurations

 

Supports RAID 0, RAID 5, BIG, and JBOD, providing flexible options for high-speed performance, data protection, and expanded storage capacity.

 

3. USB-C Interface with Up to 20Gb/s Aggregate Bandwidth

 

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 provides up to 20Gb/s of aggregate bandwidth shared by both RAID groups.

 

4. Independent RAID Status Monitoring

 

Dedicated LED indicators for each controller provide clear status information for Drive Access, Rebuilding, Drive Failure, and Rebuilding Progress (25% / 50% / 75% / 100%).

 

5. Real-Time Temperature & Fan Monitoring

 

Temperature monitoring and fan-failure detection with LED indicators and audible buzzer alerts help support stable system operation.

 

 

6. Independent Cooling & Alarm Control

 

Each RAID group has a dedicated 80mm system fan with independent High/Low speed control and its own Buzzer On/Off switch. A separate 40mm fan provides dedicated power-supply cooling.

 

7. Windows GUI Monitoring Utility

 

Monitor both RAID controllers—including drive status, system temperature, fan operation, failure alerts, and rebuild progress—through a single graphical interface on Windows. Storage access is supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

 

8. Hot-Swappable Lockable Drive Trays

 

Supports hot-swappable 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch HDDs/SSDs with lockable trays. The pin-key lock helps reduce the risk of accidental drive removal during operation.

 

 

9. Mobile Backup with Easy Data Vault

 

Back up photos and videos directly from compatible USB-C iPhone and iPad devices to high-capacity local storage.

 

Choosing the Right RAID Mode: A Use-Case Guide

 

RAID Mode	Key Feature	Ideal For
RAID 0	Speed Priority	Editing, scratch storage, and fast data transfer. No fault tolerance.
RAID 5	Performance & Protection	Important data, project files, and long-term storage. Protects against a single-drive failure.
BIG	Large Capacity	Combining the four drives within one RAID group into a single large storage volume.
JBOD	Independent Drives	Individual drive management, testing, replacement, and data transfer.

 

RAID is not a substitute for backup. Maintain a separate backup of important data.

 

Common Deployment Applications

 

1. Professional Video Editing

 

G1 — RAID 0: High-Speed Editing Workspace

 

G2 — RAID 5: Protected Project Storage

 

Handle demanding video editing workloads while keeping completed and important project data protected in the same enclosure.

 

2. Photography & Media Archive

 

G1 — BIG: Photo & Video Library

 

G2 — RAID 5: Protected Media Archive

 

Use one storage group for high-capacity media storage and the other for protected long-term archiving, keeping active and archived content independently managed.

 

3. Backup & Data Protection

 

G1 — RAID 5: Primary Local Storage
 

G2 — RAID 5: Secondary Local Copy

 

Maintain two separately managed RAID 5 environments in one enclosure for operational convenience. For critical data, keep another backup on a separate device or at another location.

 

4. Multi-Stage Data Workflow

 

G1 — RAID 0 / BIG: Active Working Data

 

G2 — RAID 5: Protected Data

 

Move completed projects from a performance-focused workspace in G1 to RAID 5-protected storage in G2 without adding a second enclosure.

 

5. Mobile Photo & Video Backup

 

Use Easy Data Vault to back up photos and videos directly from compatible USB-C iPhone and iPad devices to the ST8R-B32, providing high-capacity local storage for media backup and organization.

 

Choose Your Dual-Workflow DAS

 

Feature	ST4R-B32	ST8R-B32
Drive Bays	4	8
Independent Hardware RAID Groups	2 × 2-drive groups	2 × 4-drive groups
RAID Modes per Group	RAID 0 / 1 / BIG / JBOD	RAID 0 / 5 / BIG / JBOD
Maximum Raw Capacity*	Up to 120TB	Up to 240TB
Host Connection	One USB-C, up to 20Gb/s aggregate	One USB-C, up to 20Gb/s aggregate
Best For	Compact dual-workflow storage	Higher-capacity workflows with RAID 5

ST8R-B32 vs. a Conventional Single-Array 8-Bay DAS

 

Feature	Conventional Single-Array 8-Bay DAS	ST8R-B32
RAID Architecture	One 8-drive RAID array	Two independent 4-drive RAID groups
RAID Configuration	One mode applies to the complete array	G1 and G2 can use different modes
Storage Environments	One unified RAID environment	Two separately managed environments
Workflow Separation	Workloads share the same RAID configuration	Active and protected storage can use different configurations
Host Access	One primary storage environment	Both RAID groups are accessible through one USB-C connection
Best Fit	One large storage pool	Two storage workflows in one enclosure

 

A conventional 8-drive RAID 5 array may provide greater usable-capacity efficiency from one storage pool.

 

The ST8R-B32 is designed for workflow separation and independent RAID configuration rather than the creation of one maximum-capacity 8-drive array.

 

RAID Mode Switching Procedure

 

Changing RAID modes may erase or make existing data inaccessible. Back up all important data and follow the latest product manual before changing modes.

 

Performance test results are for reference only. Actual performance may vary depending on the test environment.

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