My only requirement in this is to ensure that my data is safe long term so I don't mind spending more if there are definable benefits. This is only for a detachable USB drive for onsite backup. I'm not looking for a NAS as I will already have this data on existing live HDDs.
I've read many reviews on different sites but it's hard to find out information on the reliability of the enclosures. I would like to find one if possible that will use USB 3.1 Gen 2, but I understand that is pretty difficult since it's so new. This drive will more than likely be kept in a cupboard for months at a time and completely detached from any electronics. If anyone has an opinion on if the 1 bay or 2 bay setup would be better for a backup I would also be very interested in hearing that. I'm not sure of the quality of the RAID that would be offered in two bay. Depending on what enclosure I can find I'll either be using the following two setups. I personally think the 1 bay with an enterprise drive would be easier to manage and more reliable.
1 bay enclosure with 4TB HGST Ultrastar 7K6000 SATA
2 bay RAID 1 enclosure with 4TB HGST Deskstar NAS SATA
Requirements
4 TB (Would be great for 6 or 8 for future proofing)
USB 3 / 3.1
SATA III connectors
RAID 1 (If 2 Bay)
Small & portable
USB 3.1 1 Bay
StarTech.com USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Enclosure for 3.5" SATA Drives - Supports SATA 6 Gbps
VANTEC NST-370A31-BK Aluminum / Plastic 3.5" Black Standard SATA USB Type-B 3.5” SATA 6 Gb/s to USB 3.1 Gen II Type-A HDD Enclosure
USB 3.0 1 Bay
Rosewill RX-358 U3C BLK – External 3.5" Hard Drive Enclosure – Aluminum & Plastic, Black, SATA I / II, USB 3.0 & eSATA
StarTech SAT3510BU3 3.5" Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 SATA Hard Drive Enclosure w/ Fan
VANTEC NexStar HX4R NST-640S3R-BK 3.5" Black SATA I/II/III USB3.0 & eSATA Quad Bay RAID HDD Enclosure
Thermaltake ST0020U 3.5" Black SATA I/II/III USB 3.0 Max 5G External Enclosure
Vantec NexStar CX SuperSpeed 3.5" SATA to USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure - Model NST-310S3-BK
Thermaltake Silver River 5G ST0025U 3.5" Black SATA I/II/III USB 3.0 External Enclosure
ICY DOCK MB559U3S-1SB 3.5" Matt Black SATA I/II/III USB3.0 & eSATA Professional Ultra Slim External Hard Drive Enclosure
2 Bay Options
ICY DOCK MB662U3-2S R1
Vantec NexStar MX Dual Bay 3.5" SATA to USB 3.0 / eSATA RAID Enclosure
Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU3 2 Bay
As well the Samsung M3 4TB Portable STSHX-M401TCB would be a very intriguing option, but I'm not sure of the reliability of the hdd in it and it's also extremely hard to find.
I've read many reviews on different sites but it's hard to find out information on the reliability of the enclosures. I would like to find one if possible that will use USB 3.1 Gen 2, but I understand that is pretty difficult since it's so new. This drive will more than likely be kept in a cupboard for months at a time and completely detached from any electronics. If anyone has an opinion on if the 1 bay or 2 bay setup would be better for a backup I would also be very interested in hearing that. I'm not sure of the quality of the RAID that would be offered in two bay. Depending on what enclosure I can find I'll either be using the following two setups. I personally think the 1 bay with an enterprise drive would be easier to manage and more reliable.
1 bay enclosure with 4TB HGST Ultrastar 7K6000 SATA
2 bay RAID 1 enclosure with 4TB HGST Deskstar NAS SATA
Requirements
4 TB (Would be great for 6 or 8 for future proofing)
USB 3 / 3.1
SATA III connectors
RAID 1 (If 2 Bay)
Small & portable
USB 3.1 1 Bay
StarTech.com USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Enclosure for 3.5" SATA Drives - Supports SATA 6 Gbps
VANTEC NST-370A31-BK Aluminum / Plastic 3.5" Black Standard SATA USB Type-B 3.5” SATA 6 Gb/s to USB 3.1 Gen II Type-A HDD Enclosure
USB 3.0 1 Bay
Rosewill RX-358 U3C BLK – External 3.5" Hard Drive Enclosure – Aluminum & Plastic, Black, SATA I / II, USB 3.0 & eSATA
StarTech SAT3510BU3 3.5" Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 SATA Hard Drive Enclosure w/ Fan
VANTEC NexStar HX4R NST-640S3R-BK 3.5" Black SATA I/II/III USB3.0 & eSATA Quad Bay RAID HDD Enclosure
Thermaltake ST0020U 3.5" Black SATA I/II/III USB 3.0 Max 5G External Enclosure
Vantec NexStar CX SuperSpeed 3.5" SATA to USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure - Model NST-310S3-BK
Thermaltake Silver River 5G ST0025U 3.5" Black SATA I/II/III USB 3.0 External Enclosure
ICY DOCK MB559U3S-1SB 3.5" Matt Black SATA I/II/III USB3.0 & eSATA Professional Ultra Slim External Hard Drive Enclosure
2 Bay Options
ICY DOCK MB662U3-2S R1
Vantec NexStar MX Dual Bay 3.5" SATA to USB 3.0 / eSATA RAID Enclosure
Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU3 2 Bay
As well the Samsung M3 4TB Portable STSHX-M401TCB would be a very intriguing option, but I'm not sure of the reliability of the hdd in it and it's also extremely hard to find.
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