I posted this in response to a question in the HP MSS section, but thougt it appropriate for the wider audience, as well. I recently purchased this enclosure for the price and claimed capability to synce to the server over an eSATA connection.
I have to admit that I was skeptical of the claims made by the owners of these enclosures [Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 Pro Box]. I decided to order one and try it out. I wasn't expecting much for a $110.00, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This box does in fact sync up over an eSATA connection to shut down and restart when the host system starts up and shuts down. I would call it hibernate, others may call it sleep, but when you shut down the host PC the Pro Box turns off the drives and fans, but the electronics stay on, waiting for the host to power back up. As far as I can determine, this enclosure is unique in this ability. I did my testing on a self built system, so its not realted to the MSS, which is even better news for the wider audience.
I loaded the box with a WD500AAKS, (500gb) a WD110EADS (1TB Green), a WD1001FALS (1TB Black), and a Samsung HD154UI (1.5TB Green) drive. After 30 minutes of running on the server, all four drives were operating in the 27c-32c range. Data transfer rates are quite good, depending on the drive used. Transfering an 4.4gb file from the enclosure to a Samsung HD154UI drive connected to the motherboard ranged from 80 seconds with the 500gb drive to 60 seconds with the 1TB WD Black. These times are consistent with copying the same file from HD154UI drives in my main eSATA enclosure and from drive to drive with HDDs connected directed to the motherboard.
I can't yet speak to long term reliability, but my first impressions are very positive. I even like that it has a power supply like you would use with a miniITX (60 watt)... no wall wart. Which in retrospect shouldn't be a surprise.
The only things I don't particularly like is that the power supply connects to the side (right rear corner). This could be a little inconvenient for placing enclosures right next to each other... but this really more of a nit to pick. You also need to attach a cheesy little plastic handle to the drives. This takes about 30 seconds per drive and I'm not convinced its really necessary for an enclosure that will remain in a static position (yet another minor thing). I also tried installing a 2.5" SSD drive inside a 3.5" adapter and it fit too.
For those interested in power consumption... and you know who you are....![Posted Image]()
This box, with the four drives mentioned above installed, uses 32w with the fan set to low or medium and 34w with the fan set to high. I'm sure this would be a few watts lower if not for the WD Black and older WD 500gb drive.
My conclusion thus far, is that the Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 Pro Box is an excellant value for your money. I would like to see it come in a five drive version, but compared to other 4-bay enclosures I've tested, it ranks among the best.
I hope this helps someone.
EDIT: I have since tried this box out with the USB connection and again it works as advertised, with proper syncing, decent data transfer rates (for USB) and is simply plug and play.
I have to admit that I was skeptical of the claims made by the owners of these enclosures [Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 Pro Box]. I decided to order one and try it out. I wasn't expecting much for a $110.00, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This box does in fact sync up over an eSATA connection to shut down and restart when the host system starts up and shuts down. I would call it hibernate, others may call it sleep, but when you shut down the host PC the Pro Box turns off the drives and fans, but the electronics stay on, waiting for the host to power back up. As far as I can determine, this enclosure is unique in this ability. I did my testing on a self built system, so its not realted to the MSS, which is even better news for the wider audience.
I loaded the box with a WD500AAKS, (500gb) a WD110EADS (1TB Green), a WD1001FALS (1TB Black), and a Samsung HD154UI (1.5TB Green) drive. After 30 minutes of running on the server, all four drives were operating in the 27c-32c range. Data transfer rates are quite good, depending on the drive used. Transfering an 4.4gb file from the enclosure to a Samsung HD154UI drive connected to the motherboard ranged from 80 seconds with the 500gb drive to 60 seconds with the 1TB WD Black. These times are consistent with copying the same file from HD154UI drives in my main eSATA enclosure and from drive to drive with HDDs connected directed to the motherboard.
I can't yet speak to long term reliability, but my first impressions are very positive. I even like that it has a power supply like you would use with a miniITX (60 watt)... no wall wart. Which in retrospect shouldn't be a surprise.
The only things I don't particularly like is that the power supply connects to the side (right rear corner). This could be a little inconvenient for placing enclosures right next to each other... but this really more of a nit to pick. You also need to attach a cheesy little plastic handle to the drives. This takes about 30 seconds per drive and I'm not convinced its really necessary for an enclosure that will remain in a static position (yet another minor thing). I also tried installing a 2.5" SSD drive inside a 3.5" adapter and it fit too.
For those interested in power consumption... and you know who you are....
This box, with the four drives mentioned above installed, uses 32w with the fan set to low or medium and 34w with the fan set to high. I'm sure this would be a few watts lower if not for the WD Black and older WD 500gb drive.
My conclusion thus far, is that the Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 Pro Box is an excellant value for your money. I would like to see it come in a five drive version, but compared to other 4-bay enclosures I've tested, it ranks among the best.
I hope this helps someone.
EDIT: I have since tried this box out with the USB connection and again it works as advertised, with proper syncing, decent data transfer rates (for USB) and is simply plug and play.