Introduction
The ALXUM S1105A is a versatile USB C 3.0 dual-bay docking station designed for 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs. It provides convenient access to your SATA drives for data transfer and offers an offline clone function for easy data duplication without requiring a host computer. Its compact and elegant design integrates seamlessly into modern workspaces.
Video: Overview of the ALXUM USB C SSD Docking Station features and usage.
Key Features
- **Dual-Bay Design**: Supports two 2.5-inch SATA SSDs or HDDs (5mm/7mm/9.5mm thickness) simultaneously.
- **Offline Clone Function**: Duplicate hard drives directly without a host computer.
- **High-Speed Data Transfer**: USB 3.0 Type-C interface offers up to 5Gbps transmission speed, backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1.
- **Large Capacity Support**: Accommodates up to 36TB (2x 18TB) total hard drive capacity.
- **Built-in Cooling Fan**: Ultra-thin cooling fan design provides top-down air duct cooling to dissipate heat from hard drives.
- **Automatic Sleep Mode**: Enters sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity to save energy and protect hard drives.
- **Tool-Free Installation**: Easy and quick setup without the need for tools.
- **Dust Cover Design**: Separate dust cover helps prevent dust accumulation inside the docking station.
- **Non-Slip Mat**: Designed with a non-slip mat for stability on the desktop and reduced vibration.
- **Broad Compatibility**: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
- **Stable Power Supply**: Equipped with a 5V/2A power supply for stable data transmission.
Image: Key features including dual chips, dust protection, non-slip mat, and included cables.
Package Contents
Please check the box for the following items:
- 1 x ALXUM Dual-bay Docking Station
- 1 x 5V/2A Power Adapter (EU plug by default; US/UK/AU plugs available upon request)
- 1 x USB-C to USB-C Data Cable (1 meter)
- 1 x USB-C to USB-A Data Cable (1 meter)
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Service Card
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | ALXUM |
| Model Number | S1105A |
| Case Material | Plastic |
| Size | 2.5" |
| Internal Interface | SATA |
| External Interface | USB |
| Interface Type | USB3.0 Type-C |
| Transmission Speed | 5Gbps |
| Supporting Hard Drive Capacity | 36TB (2*18TB) |
| Offline Clone Function | Yes |
| Installation | Tool Free Installation |
| Plug Type | EU Plug, US Plug, AU Plug, UK Plug (default EU) |
| Package Dimensions (approx.) | Length: 15cm, Width: 10cm, Height: 5cm |
| Package Weight (approx.) | 0.6 kg |
| Origin | Mainland China |
Image: Speed comparison highlighting USB 3.0 with UASP performance.
Setup Guide
Follow these steps to set up your ALXUM Dual-Bay Docking Station:
- **Unpack**: Carefully remove all components from the packaging.
- **Placement**: Place the docking station on a stable, flat surface. The non-slip mat on the base helps ensure stability.
- **Insert Drives**: Open the dust cover. Insert your 2.5-inch SATA SSDs or HDDs (5mm/7mm/9.5mm thickness) into the drive bays. Ensure they are seated firmly.
- **Connect Power**: Connect the provided 5V/2A power adapter to the DC 5V port on the back of the docking station, then plug it into a power outlet.
- **Connect to Computer**: Use either the USB-C to USB-C cable or the USB-C to USB-A cable to connect the docking station to your computer's USB port.
- **Power On**: Flip the ON/OFF switch on the back of the docking station to the 'ON' position. The LED indicators will light up.
Image: Docking station with drives inserted and connected to a laptop.
Image: Rear panel with power and USB connections.
Operation
Online Data Transfer
Once connected to your computer and powered on, the inserted SATA drives will appear as external storage devices. You can drag and drop files, copy, paste, and manage data as you would with any other external drive. The USB 3.0 Type-C interface ensures fast data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps.
Image: High-speed data transfer via USB 3.0.
Offline Clone Function
The offline clone function allows you to duplicate the contents of one hard drive (Source Disk) to another (Target Disk) without needing a computer. This is ideal for system backups or upgrading drives.
- **Insert Drives**: Insert the Source Disk (Disk A) into the first bay and the Target Disk (Disk B) into the second bay.
- **Capacity Requirement**: Ensure the capacity of Disk A is less than or equal to the capacity of Disk B (Disk A ≤ Disk B).
- **Connect Power**: Connect the power adapter and switch on the docking station. Ensure it is NOT connected to a computer for offline cloning.
- **Initiate Clone**: Press and hold the "Clone" button (usually marked with a square icon) for 3 seconds. The LED indicator for 100% clone progress will light up.
- **Start Cloning**: Quickly press the "Clone" button again to start the offline cloning process. The progress indicators (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) will illuminate sequentially as the cloning progresses.
- **Completion**: Once all four LED indicators are solid, the cloning process is complete.
Image: Offline clone setup with Disk A and Disk B, and the clone button.
Image: Offline clone progress indicators.
Automatic Sleep Mode
To conserve energy and prolong the lifespan of your hard drives, the docking station will automatically enter sleep mode if there is no operation for 30 minutes. It will wake up automatically upon activity.
Image: Docking station entering sleep mode.
Maintenance
- **Dust Protection**: Utilize the separate dust cover to prevent dust from entering the drive bays when not in use.
- **Cleaning**: Gently wipe the exterior of the docking station with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
- **Cooling**: The built-in ultra-thin cooling fan helps maintain optimal operating temperatures. Ensure the ventilation areas are not obstructed.
Image: Built-in cooling fan design for heat dissipation.
Image: Dust cover and non-slip mat features.
Troubleshooting
- Q: The drives are not recognized by my computer.
- A: Ensure the docking station is powered on and correctly connected to your computer via the USB cable. Check if the drives are properly seated in the bays. Try a different USB port or cable. For new drives, they might need to be initialized and formatted in your computer's Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
- Q: Can I use mechanical HDDs with this docking station?
- A: Yes, this docking station supports 2.5-inch SATA HDDs (5mm/7mm/9.5mm thickness) in addition to SSDs.
- Q: Does this device support RAID functionality?
- A: No, this docking station does not support RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations like RAID 0 or RAID 1. It operates as two independent drives or for direct cloning.
- Q: Can I access the drives remotely or via Wi-Fi?
- A: No, this is a direct-connect USB docking station and does not have built-in Wi-Fi or network-attached storage (NAS) capabilities for remote access.
- Q: The offline clone process is not starting.
- A: Ensure the docking station is disconnected from any computer. Verify that the Source Disk (Disk A) capacity is less than or equal to the Target Disk (Disk B) capacity. Make sure the power adapter is connected and the device is powered on. Press and hold the "Clone" button for 3 seconds until the 100% LED lights up, then quickly press it again to start.
User Tips
- For optimal performance, ensure your computer has a USB 3.0 or USB-C port.
- When performing an offline clone, double-check that you have correctly identified the Source (Disk A) and Target (Disk B) drives to prevent accidental data loss.
- Take advantage of the tool-free design for quick swapping of drives when needed.
- The automatic sleep mode is a great feature for energy saving; allow it to activate when drives are idle.
Warranty and Support
For any technical assistance, warranty claims, or product inquiries, please refer to the service card included in your package or contact ALXUM customer support directly. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase for warranty purposes.
