Yottamaster PS400 4-Bay RAID Enclosure

1. Introduction

The Yottamaster PS400 is a high-performance 4-bay external RAID enclosure designed for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDDs and SSDs. Constructed from durable aluminum, it offers robust data storage solutions with support for up to 64TB total capacity (4x16TB). Featuring a USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C interface, it provides fast data transmission speeds of up to 5Gbps. This enclosure supports various RAID modes, including RAID 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, JBOD, Clone, and PM, catering to diverse storage needs from speed optimization to data redundancy.

Yottamaster 4-Bay RAID Enclosure supporting 2.5"/3.5" drives and 64TB capacity.

2. Package Contents

Please check the package contents upon unboxing to ensure all items are present:

• 1 x Yottamaster PS400 4-Bay RAID Enclosure
• 1 x Power Cord
• 1 x Power Adapter (DC 12V/6.5A)
• 1 x USB-C to USB-C Cable (100cm)
• 1 x USB-A to USB-C Cable (100cm)
• 1 x Screwdriver
• 1 x Set of Spare Screws
• 1 x Instruction Manual
• 1 x Packaging Box

Visual representation of the items included in the package.

3. Product Overview

Familiarize yourself with the various components and ports of your Yottamaster PS400 enclosure:

Diagram showing the external features: Aluminum body, LED indicator, Non-slip pad, 80mm fan, RAID Switch, DC in port, SET button, Power button, and USB 3.1 Type-C port.

• Aluminum Body: Durable and provides efficient heat dissipation.
• LED Indicator: Displays operational status and drive activity.
• Non-slip Pad: Ensures stability on surfaces.
• 80mm Fan: Provides active cooling for internal drives.
• RAID Switch: Used to select the desired RAID mode.
• DC In: Power input port (12V/6.5A).
• SET Button: Used in conjunction with the RAID switch for configuration.
• Power Button: To turn the enclosure on or off.
• USB 3.1 Type-C Port: For connecting to your computer, supporting 5Gbps data transfer.

4. Specifications

Detailed product parameters for PS400 series and other models.

5. Hard Drive Installation

The Yottamaster PS400 enclosure features a toolless design for easy hard drive installation:

1. Remove Drive Carrier: Press the spring door on the front of the enclosure and gently pull out the hard disk carrier.
2. Install Hard Drive: Place your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD into the bracket. For 2.5-inch hard drives, it is recommended to fix them with screws for stability (screws provided).
3. Insert Drive Carrier: Slide the bracket with the installed hard disk back into the hard disk cabinet until it clicks into place.
4. Close Enclosure: Close the enclosure door. The installation is now complete.

Steps 1 and 2: Removing the carrier and placing the hard drive.

Steps 3 and 4: Reinserting the carrier and closing the enclosure.

6. RAID Mode Configuration (PS400RC3 only)

The PS400RC3 model supports multiple RAID configurations. Please refer to the diagram below for an overview of each mode. Important: Always back up your data before changing RAID modes, as this will clear the contents of the hard disks.

Explanation of RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 3 modes.

Explanation of RAID 5, RAID 10, JBOD, and PM modes, along with important reminders.

RAID Mode Descriptions:

• RAID 0 (Fast Speed): Requires at least two disks. Combines disks into one logical unit, doubling theoretical read/write speed. No redundancy.
• RAID 1 (High Security): Requires two disks. Data is mirrored across both disks, providing redundancy. If one disk fails, data is preserved on the other.
• RAID 3 (Fast and Safe Reading): Requires at least three disks. One disk is dedicated to error correction (parity). Offers fast reading and automatic recovery if a disk is damaged. Requires disks of the same capacity.
• RAID 5 (Comprehensive): Requires at least three disks. Combines striping with distributed parity, offering a balance of performance and data redundancy.
• RAID 10 (RAID 0 + RAID 1 Combination): Requires at least four disks. Combines the speed of RAID 0 with the redundancy of RAID 1.
• JBOD (SPAN) (Large Capacity): Combines multiple disks into a single large logical volume. Similar to RAID 0 but without striping. Data loss occurs if any disk is damaged.
• PM (Normal) Mode (Single Disk Reading): Each hard disk operates independently and can be read individually. Other disks are not affected if one fails.
• Clone: Creates an exact copy of one disk onto another.

Important Reminders for RAID Configuration:

• When building a RAID, it is recommended to use new disks.
• Setting or changing the RAID mode will clear the contents of the hard disk. Please back up important data before proceeding.
• When switching RAID mode or replacing a hard disk, ensure you exit the hard disk cabinet and power off the enclosure before making changes.

7. Operating Instructions

7.1 Initial Setup and Connection

1. Install your hard drives into the enclosure as described in Section 5.
2. Connect the power adapter to the DC In port on the enclosure and plug it into a power outlet. Ensure the power supply is 12V/6.5A.
3. Connect the enclosure to your computer using the provided USB-C to USB-C or USB-A to USB-C cable.
4. Press the power button on the back of the enclosure to turn it on. The LED indicator will light up.
5. Your operating system (Windows, Mac OS, Linux) should automatically detect the enclosure. If drives are new, they may need to be initialized and formatted through your operating system's disk management tools.

The enclosure connected to a laptop, highlighting the 12V 6.5A power supply connection.

7.2 Wide Compatibility

The Yottamaster PS400 is compatible with mainstream operating systems including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. No additional drivers are required; it is plug-and-play.

Visual representation of compatibility with Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and various HDD/SSD types.

8. Maintenance

8.1 Cooling Design

The enclosure features an 8cm fan and an aluminum alloy body for effective convective heat dissipation, ensuring optimal operating temperatures for your hard drives and prolonging their lifespan.

Diagram illustrating the 8cm fan and convective heat dissipation within the enclosure.

8.2 Sleep Energy Saving

To conserve energy and reduce wear on your drives, the enclosure will enter a sleep state after 10 minutes of no read-write activity. This feature helps prevent invalid reading and writing for extended periods, reduces noise, and lowers power consumption.

Illustration of the 10-minute inactivity sleep mode.

8.3 Safeguard Features

The Yottamaster PS400 is equipped with multiple safeguard features to protect your data and the device:

• Overcurrent protection
• Overheating protection
• Voltage protection
• Short circuit protection

Icons representing overcurrent, overheating, voltage, and short circuit protection.

9. Troubleshooting

• Enclosure not powering on: Ensure the power adapter is securely connected to both the enclosure and a working power outlet. Verify the power button is pressed.
• Drives not detected: Check all cable connections (power and USB). Ensure hard drives are properly seated in their carriers. If new drives, they may need initialization and formatting in your operating system's Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac OS).
• Slow transfer speeds: Ensure you are using a USB 3.1 Gen1 compatible port on your computer. Check the integrity of the USB cable. Verify your RAID configuration (RAID 1 or 5 will have different performance characteristics than RAID 0).
• RAID configuration issues: Double-check the RAID switch and SET button sequence as per the full manual (if provided). Remember that changing RAID modes will erase data.

10. User Tips

• For optimal performance, ensure your computer's USB port supports USB 3.1 Gen1 (5Gbps) or higher.
• Regularly check the enclosure's fan for dust buildup to maintain efficient cooling.
• Always safely eject the enclosure from your operating system before disconnecting it or powering it off to prevent data corruption.

11. Warranty and Support

Yottamaster products are designed for reliability and performance. For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the official Yottamaster website or contact your retailer. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.