Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C 2-Bay USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Hard Drive Enclosure User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C 2-Bay Hard Drive Enclosure. This device supports two 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA SSD/HDD drives and offers various RAID configurations (Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1) with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface for high-speed data transfer up to 10Gbps.

2. Package Contents

Verify that all items listed below are present in your package:

• Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C Enclosure
• USB-C to USB-C Cable
• Power Adapter
• Accessory Kit (screws, screwdriver)
• User Manual (this document)

Figure 2.1: Contents of the Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C package. This image displays the enclosure, USB-C cable, power adapter, and documentation.

3. Product Overview

3.1 Front Panel

Figure 3.1: Front view of the enclosure. It features LED indicators for HDD1 and HDD2 activity, and a power button.

• HDD1/HDD2 LED Indicators: Indicate drive activity and status for each installed hard drive.
• Power Button: Used to power the device ON or OFF.

3.2 Rear Panel

Figure 3.2: Rear view of the enclosure, highlighting the fan, Type-C port, DC power input, power button, RAID mode selection DIP switches, and confirmation button.

• Fan: 6x6x1 cm fan for cooling.
• Type-C Port: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) reversible plug orientation for data connection to your computer.
• DC IN: Power input (12V / 3A).
• Power Button: Press to power ON or OFF the device.
• RAID Mode Selection: DIP switches to select the desired RAID configuration.
• Confirmation Button: Press and hold to confirm changes to the RAID mode.

4. Setup

4.1 Hard Drive Installation

1. Ensure the enclosure is powered off and disconnected from your computer.
2. Open the enclosure by sliding the cover off.
3. Carefully insert your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA SSD/HDD into the drive bays. Ensure the SATA connectors align correctly.
4. Secure the drives using the provided screws if necessary.
5. Close the enclosure cover.

4.2 RAID Mode Configuration

The HUR5-SU31C supports Single Mode, JBOD Mode, RAID 0 Mode, and RAID 1 Mode. The RAID mode is set using the DIP switches on the rear panel.

• Single Mode: Each drive operates independently.
• JBOD Mode: Drives are concatenated to form a single large volume.
• RAID 0 Mode (Striping): Data is split across both drives for increased performance. No data redundancy.
• RAID 1 Mode (Mirroring): Data is duplicated across both drives for data redundancy. Half the total storage capacity.

To change the RAID mode:

1. With the enclosure powered OFF, adjust the DIP switches on the rear panel to the desired RAID configuration. Refer to the diagram on the enclosure for specific switch positions for each mode.
2. Connect the power adapter to the DC IN port and plug it into a power outlet.
3. Press and hold the Confirmation Button on the rear panel.
4. While holding the Confirmation Button, press the Power Button to turn on the enclosure.
5. Continue holding the Confirmation Button for approximately 10 seconds until the LED indicators begin to flash, indicating the RAID mode change process has started.
6. Release the Confirmation Button. The enclosure will format the drives according to the new RAID mode. This process will erase all data on the drives.

Important: Always back up your data before changing RAID modes, as this operation will erase all data on the installed drives.

4.3 Connecting to Computer

1. After configuring the RAID mode and installing drives, connect one end of the provided USB-C cable to the Type-C port on the enclosure.
2. Connect the other end of the USB-C cable to an available USB-C port on your computer (PC or Mac).
3. Power on the enclosure using the Power Button.
4. Your operating system should detect the new storage device. You may need to initialize and format the drive(s) through Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) if they are new or have been reconfigured.

Figure 4.1: The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C enclosure connected to a laptop, demonstrating a typical usage scenario.

5. Operating

Once connected and recognized by your computer, the Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C operates like any external storage device. Data transfer speeds will depend on the drives used, the RAID mode configured, and the USB port capabilities of your computer. The enclosure supports UASP for faster transfer rates.

• Power On/Off: Use the front Power Button.
• Drive Activity: Monitor the HDD1 and HDD2 LED indicators for read/write activity.
• Sleep Mode: The enclosure may enter a sleep mode to conserve energy and prolong drive life when inactive.

6. Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the enclosure. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
• Fan Maintenance: Periodically check the rear fan for dust accumulation. Use compressed air to gently clear dust from the fan blades and vents to ensure proper airflow and cooling.
• Ventilation: Ensure the enclosure is placed in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating. Avoid blocking the fan or air vents.
• Firmware Updates: Check the Mediasonic official website periodically for any available firmware updates for improved performance or compatibility.

7. Troubleshooting

• Enclosure not recognized by computer:
  • Ensure the power adapter is securely connected and the enclosure is powered on.
  • Verify the USB-C cable is properly connected to both the enclosure and the computer. Try a different USB-C port on your computer or a different cable.
  • Check Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) to see if the drive appears but needs initialization or formatting.
  • If using a USB-C extension cable, ensure it is of high quality and supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, as some extensions can cause connectivity issues.
• Drives not appearing or showing incorrect capacity:
  • Confirm that the drives are correctly installed and seated within the enclosure.
  • Verify the RAID mode is correctly set according to your preference. If you changed the RAID mode, ensure you followed the confirmation procedure (holding the button while powering on).
  • New drives or drives after a RAID mode change will need to be initialized and formatted by your operating system.
• Slow transfer speeds:
  • Ensure you are connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) compatible port on your computer. Older USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports will result in lower speeds.
  • The performance of the installed drives (HDD vs. SSD) will affect overall speed.
  • RAID 1 (mirroring) can sometimes have slightly lower write performance compared to RAID 0 or Single mode.
• Excessive fan noise or overheating:
  • Ensure the enclosure is in a well-ventilated area and the fan vents are not obstructed.
  • Clean any dust accumulation from the fan and vents.
  • Monitor drive temperatures using S.M.A.R.T. tools if available. High temperatures can indicate poor airflow or failing drives.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

9.1 Warranty Information

The Mediasonic ProRaid HUR5-SU31C comes with a 1 Year Warranty from the Mediasonic Store. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.

9.2 Technical Support

For technical assistance, please visit the official Mediasonic website. The website typically provides FAQs, driver downloads, and contact information for customer support.