e-Sata Port Multiplier Questions at DVinfo.net

Steve Kalle · August 5th, 2010, 02:32 PM

Does anyone know if drives can be taken from an external e-Sata device that uses a port multiplier and connect them to the motherboard sata ports and have the data/partition recognized?

I am sure that I could have worded the question better so here is an example of what I do NOT want: connecting a single un-partitioned drive to my Areca 1680ix raid controller and create a partition in windows - the data on this drive can ONLY be accessed when connected to an Areca controller.

I am trying to expand my backup drives from single eSata external enclosures to 4-bay enclosures. I am adding 2TB of video every 3-4 months and it will be greatly increasing to about 4TB every 2 months very soon.

Phil Seastrand · August 5th, 2010, 08:06 PM

As long as you are not creating any RAID drives in the tower, you should be fine. I haven't tested this exact situation, but when I built my tower, I first formatted the drives via a USB/SATA adapter, then used them in the tower so it should work.

August 5th, 2010, 02:32 PM	#1
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	e-Sata Port Multiplier Questions Does anyone know if drives can be taken from an external e-Sata device that uses a port multiplier and connect them to the motherboard sata ports and have the data/partition recognized? I am sure that I could have worded the question better so here is an example of what I do NOT want: connecting a single un-partitioned drive to my Areca 1680ix raid controller and create a partition in windows - the data on this drive can ONLY be accessed when connected to an Areca controller. I am trying to expand my backup drives from single eSata external enclosures to 4-bay enclosures. I am adding 2TB of video every 3-4 months and it will be greatly increasing to about 4TB every 2 months very soon.

August 5th, 2010, 08:06 PM	#2
Phil Seastrand New Boot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 22	As long as you are not creating any RAID drives in the tower, you should be fine. I haven't tested this exact situation, but when I built my tower, I first formatted the drives via a USB/SATA adapter, then used them in the tower so it should work.