RAID1 configuration on Mac OS X. Designed for backups, because a drive should fail and randomly - to spare is there and I have created another backup the internal hard drive go Hopps - then I would still have a second backup.
Problem is that the most beautiful RAID1 does not help if the RAID1 disks are readable only on the Icybox, and selbige breaks down. This, however, must in many RAID controllers commonplace be, I knew previously only software RAID where it is possible without problems, individual plates individually to operate in other USB enclosures and to other computers on.
So I have taken the test, data plan pushed in RAID1, then the plates individually plugged in USB 3.0 enclosure and tested individually on the computer. Result: Disk is not initialized. Nope! Then the data are first unreadable, and it can be a big problem at all get at the data, if you do not have exactly the same box (same chipset!) Again can get anywhere (see: c't 05/2013). I would therefore theoretically a second IcyBox order a backup to have for the box itself. Because the RAID was intended for duplication of my backups, brings me nothing.
Furthermore, I have both the Icybox and with Poppstar USB 3.0 enclosures made several tests with Icybox RAID1 and software RAID1 (20 the piece). Behold, a software RAID1 in Poppstar housing is again 25% faster. Especially important in backups write performance is significantly better, especially the smaller write 4k blocks has doubled (from 75 MB / s to 150 MB / s). And the software RAID1 I can read out the system in the event of damage each panel individually. The only downside: there are occupied then 2 USB and 2 power connector.
Further advantages of 2x USB enclosure solution: both panels go into the sleep mode in Icybox always remains an active until the computer sets completely asleep. I can also read both the SMART values at Icybox you get only the SMART values of the upper plate. I should set me an email notification a plate having problems with Icybox I have a slow flashing of the otherwise rapidly flashing (access) or always bright (idle) red LEDs eighth. Last but transmits the vibrations of plates Icybox stronger than the USB enclosure, and so are the plates audible (particularly in access you can hear the clacking relatively significantly). It's not much (both plates are WD30EZRX Green) a perceptible for me (and welcome) difference, but in my quiet working environment.
I liked the box at first, but then ...
Here are the rest of the experience, mainly things that were not in the other reviews:
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(!): SMART in RAID1 (presumably RAID0), only the values of the upper plate be issued - ie the panel which is less stressed. This could a false sense of security. In JBOD mode you see the SMART values of both plates separated from each other. Read with Acronis Disk Monitor.
Access: read in RAID1 only from the lower plate. Although is already elsewhere, but is useful knowledge for those who use two different plates (temperature, smoothness).
LEDs: discreet but visible. First, a bit confusing but after a short operation and look at the manual we also know what's going on. A pity, however, that should "slow blink" to a disk failure, the HDD LED just, there's no way on the defect to be otherwise informed, eg by email, sound or monitoring tool. One can not expect a device in this price range and type.
Compatibility: once again had no luck, the Netgear WNDR4700 Router (with USB 3.0) is not even recognized the device as any USB device, let alone as a data carrier. Not even if I switch to JBOD and initialization posh directly connected to the Netgear. Going short with other routers or NAS be similar if you want to extend this to RAID Box storage - so here one should not expect it to work on any device. However, no problems on PC or Mac.
Reset: unit is switched off, DIP switches set, reset button pressed and switch on. Release the reset button only when both red lights are HDD. So it always works perfectly for me.
Eject (Windows): in JBOD mode can only both plates together eject as the Box logs as "Bridge" and eject the individual drives is not possible. One can only log off the box as a whole by the system.
Mac OS X: first the disappointment with already initialized RAID1: both plates were separately incorporated (with the same name) to the system and could also be ejected individually. So RAID1 again reinitialized with a connected Mac: behold, it appears only one drive in the system, as it should be. It is also because the RAID1 write both disks blink while reading only the bottom.
Disk Sleep: at least RAID1 for Mac OS X (10.8) only one of the two plates is put into the sleep state (disk sleep timer). It seems to be the lower one. The other plate is heard occasionally even with calibration noises. Only when I go to bed the Mac, both panels are switched off. That's a bit annoying, because I would have liked to rest between the hourly backups. Accordingly, one should be careful (in idle) incorporate the laufruhigere plate above. Possibly works so well with software RAID JBOD disk with better sleep - but then you could also just pick two USB3 housing for 40 and 25 saves the charge.
Formatting: When resetting both panels are conveniently placed formatted with NTFS, if there are no partitions on the disks. Prima! Even better, is connected to the RAID, a Mac OS X system, the panels are reset at the same formatted with Mac OS X Extended (Journaled). So much attention and courtesy I would have never expected such a reasonable product. Riesenlob this !!
Data loss at reset: It is said that is lost when RAID / JBOD reset data. I had accidentally found out the following: first activated both plates in JBOD mode, and copies each the same file to each plate. After initialized RAID1 - oh wonder, the file was actually in RAID1 still affixed and legible. Whether it was identical to the original I have not checked. I would not leave me. Also noteworthy: after reset the RAID maintains its volume name. What exactly happens when the reset I can not say, but it seems to be a complete formatting operation. Even after I had re-initialized the box Mac and plates with Mac OS X Extended formatted, they retained their originally on Windows computers assigned with volume name.
Temperature: I still have not made a continuous operation. But one should not expect it to remain the hard drives running at 7200 U / min particularly cool. Anyone who uses high-performance drives, you should definitely use a RAID box with fan, or the box set at least in the airflow of a fan (eg PC intake air, or external 8-12 cm fan off tinker). I use two WD20EARX and WD20EZRX, both "Green" panels with 5400 U / min. The definitely do not need a fan as they reach or exceed hardly the 40 °. Moreover, me the thermal connection of the plates appears added to the housing, and the entire housing is made of metal.
Installation: the matter of the LED cable is not as tricky as shown. However, you should make sure that the cable is on the top plate, and is not guided laterally to the front on the housing during insertion. Otherwise you end up no room to stow the cable in any case, because then a 3-4 cm long bow forms because the cable has some play. More problematic, I found somewhat more out which must loosen the screws you. Tip: there are the two on the bottom in the middle. Unfortunately, the IMO are too short, so that you can just screw the imported frame when taking advantage of the gravity and from below purely rotating the screws. Turning the fact the head of the frame depends on deep and the screws do not go to the thread - then you can screw long.
Exchange: absurdly in the manual that one the other does not need to replace a failed disk from the electrical power. So now I wonder, however, already, how to be able to pull out the frame removed during operation the two screws on the bottom case and then unscrew the defective plate from both sides. Theoretically, like the work, but the danger that this will still runnable plate damage, especially through collisions and tilting is much too big! So when replacing it is better to take the box from the mains.
Actually, a great box, especially without a fan and in my opinion but well chilled (or slightly externally cooled, possibly by some tinkering). The formatting in Mac OS X has me pleasantly surprised, as the uncomplicated and reliable device. A few quirks there just for each device, such as the only one disk SMART provides data in RAID mode, or it is not running on any device. For the price I would not want to complain, but to me that was ultimately annoying. At the end matters to me reliability, and because the device failed when the plates are nowhere else to read. A clear WTF? at this point!
