2

The quality of portable hard disks have been underwhelming for me, so I want to use datacenter hard disks to store my data (Some of my data are being accessed and overwritten frequently, so I need datacenter hard disks). However the protection of internal disk is not so good. To give more protection to my hard disk, I want to buy a hard disk case. What I want is something like shown in the image below:

A 1.5 TB WD Green in a metal enclosure.

It would be nice if it also had the following features (optional):

  1. Support multi-disk integration(for RAID).

  2. Have the independent power supply.

  3. Have fiber dust(major from cloth and carpet) resistant design.

  4. Have vibration(major from tower air conditioner with high performance, table-based electric fans(the enclosure is also placed on the table) and fresh air exchange system(fixed in the wall and can make the ground vibrating)) absorbing design.

  5. The SATA interface of the case is attached at the end of a cable, instead of fixed on the case. (to enable the flexibility of hard disk length (even if disk size is 3.5 inch, but I need to add a SAS to SATA adapter when I gain SAS HDD)).

  6. The frame of the case can be easily disassembled and reassembled with a standard screwdriver for cleaning and maintenance

If anyone have any experience about that, please, give me some hint or guide. Thanks a lot!

1
  • Do you want a fully enclosed case? Or, are you OK with one side of the hard disk being exposed like the one shown in the image?
    – JohnH
    Apr 17, 2018 at 16:06

1 Answer 1

2

The real problem is that the difference between an external hard drive and an external hard drive enclosure is whether or not there's a drive in it. Most of the manufacturers sell the enclosures separately, and those enclosures have little-to-no shock absorption when dropped. This is because an HDD is intended to be a stationary form of media. SSD have no moving parts, so rather than perfect the enclosures, the preference is to use SSD. It's also common to use BD-ROM, if it's read-only media, because they have a decent lifespan.

Also, remember that the average hard disk only lasts three to five years in perfect conditions.. This is part of why datacenters are all dropping the HDD in favor of the SSD.

A thing in common with all of these enclosures is that they won't fit some of your optional requests.

Support multi-disk integration.

I think you mean an enclosure that fits multiple drives at once. At that point, it's expected you want a NAS, so you usually just find small computer cases for this.

Have the independent power supply.

All of them have this.

Have dust resistant design.

This requires an airtight seal, effectively. That drastically increases heat, which is a drive killer. Most cases for HDDs actually have fans to dissipate heat or vent holes (pictured) to prevent trapping heat against the drive. This outlines your need for something which isn't sensitive to dust due to a lack of moving parts (i.e., an SSD). Even if it's sealed properly and cooled, the seals are rubberized or foam and wear with time.

The SATA interface of the case is attached at the end of a cable, instead of fixed on the case. (to enable the flexibility of hard disk length (even if disk size is 3.5 inch, but I need to add a SAS to SATA adapter when I gain SAS HDD)).

I see the problem, but integrating a cable is never a solution. SATA cables are cheap, simple cables that need replacing from time to time. SATA extension cables are readily available for power supplies with a SATA connector, for about $3 US a piece. You can get long SATA cables similarly. These plug into my SAS->SATA adapter just fine ($15 part on Amazon).

The frame of the case can be easily disassembled and reassembled with a standard screwdriver for cleaning and maintenance

You can't have this and a dust-tight seal, most of the time.

I'd take a step back and look at your problem. It sounds like you need to store Terabytes at a time in a portable manner, but that data may be rewritten in full repeatedly. While you have drives now, you're looking at spending around $100 on specific, high-quality external components per drive. You're in an environment where small particles are a factor and interfere with your moving parts, and you're trying to plan around SAS drive compatibility (which means 15000 RPM Server HDD). With all of that, your expenses will build rapidly. For a bit more, you can just start using enterprise-level SSD like Amazon Web Services and similar use. For around $250, you can get an SSD @ 1TB and $400 gets an SSD @ 2TB. They generate less heat, are less heat-sensitive, have a lower TDP, have no moving parts, are completely enclosed to prevent contact from dust, and can take a drop without losing data. While an SSD ages faster if you write to the whole drive repeatedly, they still last physically about twice as long as an HDD and don't suffer from fragmentation issues. For your needs, that's a better way to spend your money.

If you absolutely must use your HDD in a portable manner, I recommend a dock and a carrying case as two separate components. Something like this would one-shot handle your portability needs, and you can just plug in and use the drives in a dock to purpose. To fit your SAS needs, all you'll need to do is find a dock that exposes its internal SATA connection so you can connect your adapter.

2
  • Thanks for answering, However you consideration is higher than my requirement. "dust resistance" I mean is keep the fiber dust out of enclosure. And the fiber dust is major from cloth and carpet. I think a filter net can solve the problem. Even if there are portable requirement, I can ensure that it is impossible to drop the enclosure down the ground. Because you involve "shock absorbing", I want to add a requirement "vibration absorbing", and "vibration" means the vibration from air conditioner( high performance), electric fans(on the table) and fresh air exchange system. I will modify post.
    – pah8J
    Apr 17, 2018 at 0:24
  • Even if my usage intensity is much higher than the office using, but it is still less than the real data center situation. Furthermore, I do not think it is conflict between SSD and HDD, because SSD is smaller than HDD and a middle layer case can adapt SSD to HDD socket(it is easily found on market).
    – pah8J
    Apr 17, 2018 at 0:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.