Question 1

Will it work if I connect it to my router to get a network storage device?

Accepted Answer

You will need to check the router's instructions about how it handles external USB storage devices. When one or two hard drives are inserted into this dock and the device is powered on, the dock should perform like any USB hard drive when you plug it into a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port.

Question 2

What is the maximum drive capacity?

Accepted Answer

Using 5TB WD Red with Windows 10 x64 NTFS.  But it really depends on the format of the drive - FAT, FAT32, NTFS, etc.  To use two slots will require a port multiplier built into SATA controller.  Most Windows 10 drivers and machines will have port multiplying.  But older stuff might not.

Question 3

Is there an adapter that  you can purchase to get this to read m.2 ssd drives?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Startech and Addonics make what you are looking for.  They also make dual M2 slot ones as well.  You would screw in the M2 drive in the adapter and it should slide in the 2.5 inch part of the slot on the thermaltake dock.

Question 4

will a drive used in this device "go to sleep" like and external usb drive?

Accepted Answer

I have my drives spin down into a resting state when not in use for both my DVR and my Computer. It is not the External USB Docking station that does this, it is the USB controller in the device that this is connected to. This is just a docking station. Really don't think it has any intelligence on its own.

Question 5

What type of 3.0 cable is needed?

Accepted Answer

You should be able to see the plug on one of the photos. The dock takes a USB Type-B 3.0 plug (the square one, with a smaller rectangle on top). Find one of those and get whatever end you need on the other side.

Questions & Answers