Overview

 

The ST4R-B32 is a 4-bay USB-C direct-attached storage (DAS) solution featuring two independent 2-drive hardware RAID groups in one enclosure.

 

Drives 1–2 form RAID Group 1 (G1), while Drives 3–4 form RAID Group 2 (G2). Each group can be independently configured as RAID 0, RAID 1, BIG, or JBOD and accessed through a single USB-C connection.

 

With USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 up to 20Gb/s, support for up to 30TB per drive, lockable hot-swappable drive trays, system monitoring, active cooling, and Easy Data Vault support, the ST4R-B32 provides flexible storage for creators, workstations, SOHO users, and local backup.

 

Why ST4R-B32?

 

1. Two RAID Systems in One Enclosure

 

Run two independently configurable 2-drive RAID groups in one 4-bay system.

 

2. Two Volumes, One USB-C Connection

 

Access two independent RAID volumes through a single USB-C cable.

 

3. Flexible RAID Configuration

 

Configure each group independently as RAID 0, RAID 1, BIG, or JBOD.

 

4. Easy Data Vault Support

 

Easy Data Vault can recognize both RAID volumes when formatted as exFAT on compatible USB-C iPhone and iPad devices.

 

Key Features

 

1. Dual Independent Hardware RAID

 

The four drive bays are divided into two independent 2-drive RAID groups.

 

	G1	G2
Drives	Drive 1 + 2	Drive 3 + 4
RAID Modes	RAID 0 / 1 / BIG / JBOD	RAID 0 / 1 / BIG / JBOD
Configuration	Independent	Independent

 

Each RAID group is managed by its own onboard RAID controller and presented directly to the operating system.

 

 

2. Two RAID Volumes Through One USB-C Connection

 

G1 and G2 can be accessed as independent storage volumes through a single USB-C host connection.

 

For example:

 

● G1 RAID 0 — Working storage

 

● G2 RAID 1 — Protected storage

 

Both RAID groups can be accessed simultaneously through a single USB-C connection. Actual performance depends on system configuration and workload.

 

 

3. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 — Up to 20Gb/s

 

Supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C with bandwidth up to 20Gb/s.

 

Maximum throughput requires a host port that specifically supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gb/s. USB-C alone does not guarantee 20Gb/s operation.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Up to 120TB Raw Storage Capacity

 

Supports SATA HDDs up to 30TB per drive, providing up to 120TB of raw storage capacity with four drives.

 

Compatibility with 20TB, 24TB, and 30TB SATA HDDs has been confirmed through internal testing.

 

 

 

 

5. Easy Data Vault Dual-Volume Backup

 

Easy Data Vault supports direct photo and video backup from compatible USB-C iPhone and iPad devices.

 

Dual-volume recognition is currently supported when both RAID volumes are formatted as exFAT.

 

6. Lockable Hot-Swap Drive Trays

 

Supports four 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA HDDs/SSDs with lockable front-access hot-swap trays for easy drive replacement and maintenance.

 

7. System Monitoring & Cooling

 

LED indicators provide drive activity, failure, rebuild, temperature, and fan status.

 

An integrated 80mm cooling fan with High / Low speed settings provides active cooling.

 

 

 

 

8. Built-In 150W Power Supply

 

The integrated 150W PSU supports 100–240V AC input and eliminates the need for an external power adapter.

 

9. GUI Management Utility

 

Monitor supported:

 

● RAID status

 

● Drive information

 

● Rebuild progress

 

● Event logs

 

GUI functionality may vary by operating system.

 

10. RAID Modes

 

Mode	Best For	Note
RAID 0	Performance	No redundancy
RAID 1	Data protection	Capacity equals approximately one drive
BIG	Combined capacity	No redundancy
JBOD	Independent drives	No redundancy

 

 

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

 

Best Fit For

 

1. Creative Workflows

 

Use one RAID group for active projects and another for protected or archived data.

 

2. Local Backup

 

Separate working data and backup storage within one enclosure.

 

3. Mobile Photo & Video Backup

 

Use Easy Data Vault with compatible USB-C iPhone and iPad devices.

 

4. SOHO & Workstation Storage

 

Expand PC or Mac storage without requiring a NAS or internal RAID card.

 

5. Large-Capacity Archive

 

Support up to 120TB of raw storage capacity for media libraries, projects, and local archives.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q1. What RAID modes are supported?

 

Each RAID group supports RAID 0, RAID 1, BIG, and JBOD.

 

Q2. Does the ST4R-B32 support RAID 5 or RAID 10?

 

No. The ST4R-B32 uses two independent 2-drive RAID groups and does not support RAID 5, RAID 6, or RAID 10.

 

Q3. Can G1 and G2 use different RAID modes?

 

Yes. For example, G1 can use RAID 0 while G2 uses RAID 1.

 

Q4. Can both RAID groups be accessed at the same time?

 

Yes. Both RAID groups can be accessed simultaneously through the same USB-C connection. Actual performance depends on system configuration and workload.

 

Q5. What happens if one RAID group is rebuilding?

 

Because G1 and G2 operate independently, the other RAID group can typically remain accessible while one group is rebuilding.

 

Q6. What is the maximum storage capacity?

 

Up to 30TB per drive, providing up to 120TB of raw storage capacity with four 30TB drives.

 

Q7. Can different drive capacities be used?

 

Yes, but usable RAID capacity may be limited by the smaller drive within each RAID group.

 

Q8. Can Easy Data Vault recognize both RAID volumes?

 

Yes. Dual-volume recognition is currently supported when both volumes are formatted as exFAT.

 

Q9. Does USB-C automatically provide 20Gb/s?

 

No. The host must specifically support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gb/s.

 

Q10. Is RAID 1 the same as backup?

 

No. RAID 1 protects against a single-drive failure but does not replace a separate backup.

 

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

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