Portable Firewire RAID arrays…

So I’m looking for a portable RAID array… After a little searching it seems that there are a lot of choices, but, as usual, my requirements severely limit the playing field.

Here’s what I want:

• 1. Portable, or somewhat portable.
• 2. 4 drives – would like 5
• 3. SATA interface for the drives.
• 4. Firewire interface for the device to the computer
• 5. Able to do Hardware RAID level 5.
• 6. Hot swappable drives.

It’s a tall order. Here’s what I found.

First, it seems that finding a unit with SATA drive interfaces and hardware RAID just doesn’t exist, which is unfortunate. So, IDE interfaces all around.

Micronet Platinum RAID: FireWire800 + USB 2.0 – Looks to be a solid unit. Built on the ARC-5010 (IDE-to-IDE Subsystem) by Areca, then packaged nicely in a chassis that looks to be a Shuttle XPC from a couple of years ago. This unit has all of the above listed items. There is also the NitroAV VANGUARD V from Firewire Direct. The specs look remarkably close to the Micronet unit. This one comes packaged in a brushed aluminum chassis and has the drives mounted horizontally as opposed to the Micronet which mounts them vertically.

LAcie has the “Biggest” series of RAID enclosures. Their wares sport 4-bay arrangements ranging from RAID 1 to 5. Perhaps the most recognized name on the list, these devices look solid as well, and carry a 2 year warranty in the US.

You may be able to find the Micronet on Amazon… it seems to come and go.
MicroNet PR1000U2F 1.0 TB Platinum RAID USB 2.0, FireWire 800
LaCie 1TB Biggest F800 with FW800 and USB2.0