This is a publication by Conrad Electronic SE, Klaus-Conrad-Str. 1, D-92240 Hirschau (www.conrad.com).
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction by any method, e.g. photocopy, microfilming, or the capture in
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This publication represent the technical status at the time of printing.
© Copyright 2017 by Conrad Electronic SE.
1526359_V2_0517_02_VTP_m_en
Connection
a) USB 3.1 and USB 3.0
A USB 3.1 as well as a USB 3.0 port provides enough power to operate the hard drive enclosure with the
built-in M.2 SSDs.
With notebooks or non-standard USB 3.1/3.0 ports, the maximum available current may be lower (e.g., if the
notebook is supplied with power not through its wall plug transformer, but only through the built-in recharge-
able battery). In this case, a suitable USB hub with its own power supply may be required for operation.
Connect the RAID enclosure using the supplied USB cable to the USB port of your computer or to a USB
hub.
Use the appropriate USB cable supplied that matches the USB port present.
b) USB 2.0 and USB 1.1
Compared to USB 3.0/3.1, these USB ports are slow.
In addition, a USB 2.0 / 1.1 port only delivers a current of max. 500 mA (USB port connected to the computer
directly, or USB hub with its own power adapter). This may be insufficient for the operation of the RAID
enclosure with the built-in M.2 SSDs.
We therefore recommend that you do not connect the RAID enclosure to a USB 2.0/1.1 port.
Partitioning/formatting SSD
A new M.2 SSD has to be partitioned and formatted first, so that the drive is shown in the Win-
dows File Manager and before it can be used as data memory.
When “PM” mode is used, the two M.2 SSDs must be formatted separately, while in “RAID0”,
“RAID1” and “SPAN” modes by design only one drive appears (see chapter “Description of
operating modes”).
• In Windows, partitioning and formatting is easy to do via the control panel (via Computer Management/
Disk Management).
• After partitioning, the newly created partition has to be formatted. Fast formatting is sufficient; “normal”
formatting may take a long time to complete, depending on the size of the hard disk drive.
Important!
It may happen that the M.2 SSDs cannot be partitioned when run for the first time (or after the
operating mode is changed) (the partitioning options are greyed out in the disk management tool
and cannot be selected; the drive is displayed as „Unknown“).
In such a case, for example, in Windows, you will need to right-click on the drive in the disk
management tool (in the left area of the disk management tool, in the column with the disks,
right-click the “Unknown” drive - do not click the area on the right-hand side, where the unal-
located memory space is displayed!).
Then select “Disk Initialisation” (this is only possible if the drive is displayed as “Unknown” and
the partitioning options for in Disk Management are greyed out).
Now the drive can be partitioned and then formatted.
Afterwards, change the operating mode
Important!
You always have to perform a backup before changing the operating mode, if the M.2 SSDs
were already set to one mode and contain data.
Otherwise, all your data may be lost!
• Disconnect the RAID enclosure from the PC.
• Open the RAID enclosure (unscrew the two screws on the back of the enclosure and remove the cover)
and pull out the board.
• Select a different operating mode using the three DIP switches (see “Selecting the operating mode“).
• Connect the board to the USB port.
Important!
Make sure that no short-circuit occurs. Place the board on a non-conductive surface, such as
cardboard or a plastic mouse pad. Do not touch the board, grasp it by the edges only. Do not
touch the electronic components or the SSDs.
• Hold down the “SW1” button (next to the DIP switches) for about 5 seconds.
• Disconnect the board from the USB port.
• Install the board back in the enclosure, see chapter “IInstalling and starting the M.2 SSDs”.
• Connect the RAID enclosure to a USB port. Proceed as described in chapter “Partitioning/Formatting a
SSD”.
Tips & indications
a) USB
• USB 3.1/3.0 devices are downwards compatible. This also means that these operate on conventional USB
2.0/1.1 ports - but in this case, only in the respective maximum USB speed.
• The actual possible speed depends on the M.2 SSD, the USB controller used and the types of files (many
small or one large file), etc.
• For USB 3.1/3.0, the cables should be selected to be as short as possible to avoid a reduction in the data
transmission speed.
• If you want to connect the RAID enclosure via a USB hub, the latter must also support the USB 3.1/3.0
transfer mode, in order to reach the maximum speed.
b) General information
• Two LEDs per M.2 SSD display the following operating states:
LED indicator
Meaning
White LED on
M.2 SSD ready
White LED flashes
Read/write access
Red LED flashes
Error (for example, M.2 SSD faulty)
White LED “breathes” slowly gets brighter/darker)
Rebuild process for RAID 1
White LED “breathes” and then stops
Rebuild process for RAID 1 is complete
• When in “RAID1” mode, if one of the two M.2 SSDs is defective, replace it with a new identical M.2 SSD
(disconnect the RAID enclosure from the USB port beforehand). Ensure it has at least the same capacity
as the damaged M.2 SSD.
The RAID enclosure will start the rebuild process and will copy all data from the existing M.2 SSD to the
new once it is connected to the USB port. Depending on the size of the M.2 SSD, this process can take
a very long time.
Do not access the drive during this time, and do not disconnect the RAID enclosure from the
USB port while rebuilding is in process.
• If you upgrade your computer to be able to use a USB 3.1/3.0 plug-in card (e.g., if your motherboard/
computer is still not equipped with USB 3.1/3.0 ports), you must check whether the plug-in card has its
own power connection.
If such a power connection is available, the PC power supply has to be connected to it; other-
wise, the USB 3.1/3.0 port will not function properly.
Care and cleaning
Before cleaning the device, disconnect it from the USB port.
Never use abrasive cleaning agents, cleaning alcohol or other chemical solutions, since these could damage
the housing or even impair operation.
Use a dry, lint-free cloth to clean the product.
Disposal
Electronic devices are recyclable material and do not belong in the household waste. Dispose of
an unserviceable product in accordance with the relevant statutory regulations.
Technical data
Connection ........................................... USB 3.1 (USB 3.0 compatible)
Input voltage/ current ............................ 5 V/DC, max. 900 mA
SSD suitable for installation .................. M.2
Ambient conditions ............................... Temperature 0 °C to +40 °C, air humidity 5% to 95% relative, non-
condensing
Dimensions (L x W x H) ........................ 99 x 81 x 17 mm
Weight (without cable/SSD) .................. approx. 100 g
