Building External Hard Drive Enclosure. Need a Solution!

[jdl8422]

I'm looking to build my own external HD enclosure. What do I need to do to install 8 or so HDs in a computer case and have them hook to my Mac pro via ESATA? I do not want to buy a bunch of ESATA cards for my Mac pro. Is there some kind of card or solution to turn 8 HDs into one ESATA output. Maybe via port multiplier. Thanks. Sorry if it sounds confusing.

 

[Gav2k]

An easier solution is a drobo.

 

[Hemingray]

A drobo would be easier, but not as fast. (FW800/USB2 vs. eSATA)

Are you planning to RAID these at all?

 

[Darth.Titan]

Yes you'll want a port multiplier like this one.

At first I was thinking you'd be limited to five drives but it looks like with multiple port multipliers, the number of drives you could hook to one port is unlimited.

Here's an interesting how-to on the subject. Thanks a lot, this is giving me ideas now...

 

[jdl8422]

my goal is to have 8 or more HDs and RAID them or not raid them as I please.

So if I have 8x1TB HDs I can RAID 4 together and then use 4 separately, or any other combo.

 

[techound1]

RAID them or not raid them as I please.

Muwahahaha (or some other evil laugh )

 

[Machorky]

External Hard Drive Enclosures

That's not building, that's assembling! Far too easy ...
Trying to buy one-off LSI controller ICs and working out the connectivity and circuit design would be somewhat challenging. Then having a custom circuit board built, and investing in SMD soldering tools....

Why dont you buy a new one? It's very cheap now. check it out:
http://www.uxsight.com/category/158816/caddies-enclosures.html
The price is also just fantastic compared to other enclosures that cost more but have less ports. get one there...

Plus the following guide is very useful for ...
How to Build an External Hard Drive from Wikihow
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-an-External-Hard-Drive