Question 1

I want to use this for a FreeNAS box where I don't have enough SATA connectors on my MB for 6 drives. Does this come with the needed cables to connect to MB and is it just one for the MB and the drives plug into the box? Thanks Ernie J.

Accepted Answer

You will need a SATA data cable per disk (so 5 total). I dont think they come with the dock, but I had a few SATA II cables around.

The dock also requires 3 Sata power connectors from the PSU. This is not a hot swap enclosure per se. If you attempt to swap a new disk into the cage enclosure while it is powered on, then as soon as you press the button to apply power to the disk (there is one above each slot) the cage drops power to all the disks for a split second. That is uaually enough to create disk corruption. It maybe my PSU, but I am running with a 1000watt (not a OC gaming PC), so I kinda doubt it.

Besides that minor issue, it is nice to be able to cram 5 disks in a 3 x 5.25 bay. I have had no issues with the cage. It has been running 24/7 since I got it.

Question 2

Via USB 3.0, does this dock support JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks)?

Accepted Answer

This unit is meant to take up 3x 5.25" Drive bays (like where a CD-ROM drive would go).  It can house up to 5 SATA drives.  On the back it has connectors for 5 sata connections and 5 power connections.  There is a fan as well.  There is a power switch for each drive so that you can power down each drive individually and hot swap.  There is no sata controller in the unit.  There is no smart interface at all.  If your computer supports jbod or the sata cotroller that you have connected to this supports jbod then youwill have that function.  This does not support USB at all.

Question 3

will this dock accept three, wd30ezrx drives?

Accepted Answer

The wd30ezrx is a 3.5" drive with 26.1mm Z height.  Meaning it is a standard size drive and will fit in the Icy Dock. By the way I find I need to use my thumb to push in the drives. Some drives go in a bit harder and just closing the door does not always seat the drive. Play with this a bit until you get hang of installing drives.

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