Discontinued
Dual-Bay 2.5in Hard Drive Enclosure - USB 3.0 to SATA III 6Gbps with RAID
One high performance storage solution to support two SSD or HDD drives
Product ID: S252BU33R
3.6 stars
(5 reviews) |
- Create a powerful external USB 3.0 storage solution, supporting two 2.5" SSD or HDD drives
- Sleek, compact design works beautifully with your Mac or PC
- Transfer files quickly with SATA III (6Gbps) power and USB 3.0 with UASP
This USB 3.0 2-bay enclosure for 2.5in drives gives you the performance you want in an external storage system - and features a stylish, compact design that looks great next to your Mac or PC. Ideal for professional business settings or home offices, it provides a powerful data storage solution for your desktop computer, laptop, Ultrabook™ or Chromebook™.
High capacity, high performance external storage
The dual drive enclosure lets you install two 2.5in SSDs or HDDs (from 5mm to 15mm) to create high capacity external data storage. To maximize the performance and speed of your SATA III (6Gbps) drives, the enclosure is enhanced with UASP delivering up to 70% faster transfer speeds than conventional USB 3.0. (See testing results below.)
Sleek, compact design with flexible power options
The compact design, small footprint and sleek finish make this enclosure the perfect desktop companion for your Mac or PC.
Requiring only 5V of power, you have the option to power the enclosure through USB alone, without the need for an external power adapter. It can be powered through a single or two USB sources, such as USB chargers or ports on your laptop, depending on your drive set-up. In stationary applications or configurations where more power is desired, a power adapter is included. The enclosure gives you a convenient, energy-efficient storage solution with flexible storage set-up options - and easy portability.
Increased performance and data redundancy with RAID
Enjoy peace of mind, knowing your files are continually backed up or take advantage of greater speed and capacity offered with a combined solution. The enclosure supports RAID 0, 1, Spanning, and JBOD, enabling you to choose your preferred backup mode. With the convenience of RAID, you can achieve increased size, performance, or redundancy.
The enclosure is compatible with Windows®, Mac®, Chrome OS™ and Linux® systems without having to install additional drivers or software.
Enhanced performance through UASP
This high-performance SuperSpeed USB 3.0 enclosure supports data transfer rates of up to 5Gbps and is enhanced with UASP support, which can deliver ~70% faster read speed and 40% faster write speed over traditional USB 3.0, when paired with a UASP-enabled host.
Note: UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) is supported in Windows 8, 8.1, Server 2012 and Linux kernel 2.6.37 or later. Test results were obtained using an Intel® Ivy Bridge system, StarTech.com add-on USB 3.0 cards, a UASP-enabled StarTech.com enclosure, and a SATA III solid state drive.
The S252BU33R dual-bay enclosure is ruggedly built to deliver long-lasting performance, and is backed by a StarTech.com 2-year warranty and free lifetime technical support.
Applications
- Take it with your laptop for on-the-go external storage
- Add the security of data redundancy by using this enclosure with support for RAID
The StarTech.com Advantage
- Looks great next to your computer with a sleek, compact design
- Increases storage performance with RAID and UASP
Partner Numbers
- Tech Data 11716206
- ASI 167560
- SYNNEX US STA-S252BU33R
- UPC 065030860437
Compatibility
OS independent; No software or drivers required
Specifications
| Warranty Information | Warranty | 2 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Connector(s) | 1 - Drive Connectors | SATA Data & Power Combo (7+15 pin) |
| 1 - Host Connectors | USB Type-B (9 pin) USB 3.0 | |
| Environmental | Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -10°C to 65°C (14deg;F to 149°F) | |
| Humidity | 10~90% RH | |
| Hardware | Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Bus Type | USB 3.0 | |
| Number of Drives | 2 | |
| Drive Size | 2.5in | |
| Compatible Drive Types | SATA | |
| Drive Installation | Fixed | |
| Number of 2.5 inch bays | 2 | |
| Supported Drive Height(s) | 5mm | |
| 7mm | ||
| 9.5mm | ||
| 12.5mm | ||
| 15mm | ||
| Fan(s) | Yes | |
| 1 - Fans | 40 mm | |
| Fan Bearing Type | Ball Bearing | |
| Chipset ID | JMicron - JMS561 | |
| Indicators | 1 - LED Indicators | Power LED |
| HHD 1 Activity LED | ||
| HHD 2 Activity LED | ||
| Packaging Information | Package Height | 4.3 in [10.9 cm] |
| Package Length | 7.2 in [18.2 cm] | |
| Shipping (Package) Weight | 25.8 oz [730 g] | |
| Package Width | 4.7 in [11.9 cm] | |
| Performance | Maximum Data Transfer Rate | USB 3.0 - 5 Gbps |
| Type and Rate | USB 3.0 - 5 Gbit/s | |
| UASP Support | Yes | |
| 4Kn Support | Yes | |
| Type and Rate | SATA III (6 Gbps) | |
| Hardware Raid Supported | Yes | |
| Supported RAID Modes | RAID 0 (Striped Disks) | |
| RAID 1 (Mirrored Disks) | ||
| JBOD - (Just a Bunch of Disks) | ||
| BIG (Spanning or Concatenation) | ||
| Max Drive Capacity | Currently tested with up to 2TB 7200 RPM hard drives (4 TB total) | |
| Hot Swap Capability | Yes | |
| Noise Level | 21 dBA | |
| Physical Characteristics | Color | Black |
| Material | Aluminum and Plastic | |
| Max Drive Height | 0.6 in [15 mm] | |
| Product Length | 5.2 in [13.2 cm] | |
| Product Width | 2.0 in [50 mm] | |
| Product Height | 3.5 in [9 cm] | |
| Weight of Product | 12.4 oz [350 g] | |
| Power | Power Source | AC Adapter Included |
| Input Voltage | 100 - 240 AC | |
| Input Current | 0.4 A | |
| Output Voltage | 5 DC | |
| Output Current | 2 A | |
| Plug Type | H | |
| Power Consumption (In Watts) | 3 | |
| Software | OS Compatibility | OS independent; No software or drivers required |
| What's in the Box | 1 - Included in Package | USB 3.0 Dual 2.5” SATA HDD/SSD RAID Enclosure |
| USB 3.0 cable | ||
| USB to Power Cable (Type H Barrel) | ||
| Universal Power Adapter (NA/EU/UK/AU) | ||
| Installation screw kit | ||
| Quick install guide |
Certifications
View downloadable documentation
Accessories
Discontinued
USB3SAB3MRA
3m Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable - Right Angle A to B - M/M
Connect USB 3.0 devices, even in hard to reach areas and tight spaces
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$15.99USD
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6 ft SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable A to B - M/M
Connect to your external solutions and transfer data at 10x the speed of USB 2.0
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$14.99USD
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USB3SAB1MRA
1m Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable - Right Angle A to B - M/M
Connect USB 3.0 devices, even in hard to reach areas and tight spaces
Your price
$15.99USD
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USB3CAB1M
1m (3ft) Certified SuperSpeed USB 3.0 A to B Cable - M/M
Connect your USB 3.0 devices with this high-quality USB 3.0 certified cable
Your price
$16.99USD
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USB3SAB6BK
6 ft Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable A to B - M/M
Connect to your external solutions and transfer data at 10x the speed of USB 2.0
Your price
$14.99USD
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USB3SAB1
1 ft SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable A to B - M/M
Connect to your external solutions and transfer data at 10x the speed of USB 2.0
Your price
$12.99USD
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Discontinued
USB3SAB2MRA
2m Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable - Right Angle A to B - M/M
Connect USB 3.0 devices, even in hard to reach areas and tight spaces
Your price
$6.99USD
USB3CAB2M
2m (6 ft) Certified SuperSpeed USB 3.0 A to B Cable - M/M
Connect your USB 3.0 devices, with this high-quality USB 3.0 certified cable
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10 ft Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable A to B - M/M
Connect to your external solutions and transfer data at 10x the speed of USB 2.0
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In stock: US: 1357 | CA: 87
Your price
$10.99USD
Discontinued
USB3SAB3BK
3 ft Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable A to B - M/M
Connect to your external solutions and transfer data at 10x the speed of USB 2.0
Your price
$9.99USD
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10 ft SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Cable A to B - M/M
Connect to your external devices and transfer data at 10x the speed of USB 2.0
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$16.99USD
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Turn Virtually any 2.5" SATA or SAS Hard Drive into a 3.5" SATA Drive
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6 ft Black SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Extension Cable A to A - M/F
Extend your USB 3.0 SuperSpeed cable by up to an additional 6 feet
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USB3AAEXT10M
10m USB 3.0 Active Extension Cable - M/F
Extend the distance between a computer and a USB 3.0 device by an additional 10 meters
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Drivers/Downloads
Talk to an Advisor
We are always ready to assist you with any questions you may have.
Live Chat (opens in new window)Firmware
-
updatetool.zip
- Version: 101.01.01.09
- Language: EN
Manual(s):
-
s252bu33r_manual.pdf
- Language: EN
Datasheet
-
s252bu33r_Datasheet.pdf
- Datasheet
- Language: EN
Product Support
Talk to an Advisor
We are always ready to assist you with any questions you may have.
Live Chat (opens in new window)Frequently Asked Questions
Troubleshooting
When you troubleshoot issues with a hard drive enclosure, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
- Cables
- Hard drives
- Hard drive enclosure
To test your setup components, try the following:
- Use the cables, hard drives, and hard drive enclosure in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
- Use a different cable, hard drive, and hard drive enclosure in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test the hard drive and hard drive enclosure, it is recommended that you do the following:
- To check Disk Management, press the Windows key + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter. Check to see if your hard drive is listed.
- If the hard drive is listed with unallocated space, the hard drive needs to be reformatted. Right-click unallocated and click New Simple Volume. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reformatting.
Note: Formatting a hard drive erases all of the data on it. Make sure that you back up all of your data before you reformat the hard drive.
- If the hard drive is listed as healthy but does not have a drive letter, for example, C:, right-click healthy and click Change Drive Letter and Paths. Click Add, assign a drive letter, and click OK.
Note: A formatted hard drive will not show up in Computer or My Computer until it has a drive letter assigned to it.
Note: Any data currently on the drives will be lost during this process. You need to back up all of your data before you set a RAID mode.
To set a RAID mode, complete the following:
- Turn off the hard drive enclosure.
- Set the RAID dip switches to the RAID mode that you want to set.
- Turn on the hard drive enclosure.
- Press and hold the Set button until the power LED turns red and the HDD1 and HDD2 LEDs start blinking.
In order to rebuild a RAID array, you need to replace a physical drive with an identical drive on the same RAID controller. Although standard RAID levels are generally agreed upon throughout the industry, the implementation varies between manufacturers. RAID arrays are typically not accessible when they are moved to another controller, and data may be unrecoverable if the drives are out of order or have been formatted or accessed by another RAID controller.
If a RAID controller has failed, you should get the exact same model of RAID controller.
Note: If a drive or drives were damaged, it is possible that the RAID array may be permanently unrecoverable.
RAID should not be considered a replacement for backing up your data. If critical data is going onto a RAID array, you should back up the data on another physical drive or logical set of drives.
Rebuild a RAID array
With the following RAID modes, recovery is possible using the same StarTech.com product. Refer to the following table for the appropriate method to use to recover your RAID array.
| RAID mode | Max # of failed drives | Procedure |
| RAID 1 | Only one drive is needed for recovery. |
The array will rebuild and is accessible during the rebuilding process. |
| RAID 3 | Single drive failure will rebuild. |
Note: Do not change the order of the drives.
|
| RAID 5 | Single drive failure will rebuild. |
Note: Do not change the order of the drives.
|
| RAID 10 | Only one drive in a mirrored set can fail. |
Note: Do not change the order of the drives.
|
You should not upgrade your device's firmware if you do not have any issues with the functionality of your device. The only time you should consider an upgrade is if you are experiencing a problem with the device, and you have confirmed that the firmware addresses this problem. You can confirm this is the case by reviewing the documentation included with the firmware or by consulting with our Technical Support team. Incorrectly upgrading firmware can result in diminished performance so it is best to contact StarTech.com if you would like to perform this operation.
Before You Buy
To determine if your hard drive will work in this enclosure, on the product page, click the Technical Specifications tab, and do the following:
- Make sure that the enclosure supports the storage size of your hard drive. If the storage size of your hard drive is larger than what the enclosure was tested with, the hard drive will likely still work with the enclosure.
- Confirm that your hard drive uses the same interface type as the enclosure. For example, IDE, SATA, or M.2.
- Make sure that the enclosure supports the physical size of your hard drive, such as 2.5 inches or 3.5 inches.
- Make sure that the enclosure supports the height of your hard drive. For example, 9 mm or 15 mm.
- Verify that the power consumption of your hard drive doesn’t exceed the power output of the enclosure. If you’re using multiple hard drives, make sure that the combined power consumption of all of the hard drives doesn’t exceed the power output of the enclosure.
Note: Not all StarTech.com devices support each of the RAID modes described below. For more information on the RAID modes that your device supports, refer to the manual or the StarTech.com product page.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is a virtual disk technology that combines multiple physical drives into one unit. RAID can create redundancy, improve performance, or do both.
RAID should not be considered a replacement for backing up your data. If critical data is going onto a RAID array, it should be backed up to another physical drive or logical set of drives.
The following are terms that are normally used in connection with RAID:
- Striping: data is split between multiple disks.
- Mirroring: data is mirrored between multiple disks.
- Parity: also referred to as a checksum. Parity is a calculated value used to mathematically rebuild data.
Different RAID levels exist for different application requirements.
Refer to the following table for the list of RAID modes offered by some StarTech.com products:
| RAID mode | Description | Operation | Advantages | Disadvantages | Recovery |
| RAID 0 | Striped disks | Data is split evenly between two or more disks. | Large size and the fastest speed. | No redundancy. | If one or more drives fails, this results in array failure. |
| RAID 1 | Mirrored disks | Two or more drives have identical data on them. | A single drive failure will not result in data loss. | Speed and size is limited by the slowest and smallest disk. | Only one drive is needed for recovery. |
| RAID 3 | Striped set with dedicated parity | Data is split evenly between two or more disks, plus a dedicated drive for parity storage. | High speeds for sequential read/write operations. | Poor performance for multiple simultaneous instructions. | A single drive failure will rebuild. |
| RAID 5 | Striped disks with distributed parity | Data is split evenly between three or more disks. Parity is split between disks. | Large size, fast speed, and redundancy. | The total array size is reduced by parity. | A single drive failure will rebuild. |
| RAID 10 | 1+0; Striped set of Mirrored Subset | Four or more drives are made into two mirrors that are striped. | Larger size and higher speed than RAID-1, and more redundancy than RAID-0. | No parity. | Only one drive in a mirrored set can fail. |
| JBOD | Just a Bunch Of Disks | Any number of drives are accessed independently by the operating system. | Software RAID modes can be used. | Hardware RAID may have better performance. | N/A |
| Big | Spanning or Concatenation | Data is written on one drive until it is full, and then the next drive(s) until it or they are full. | Creates a very large and simple array. |
No redundancy. |
N/A |
| Clone | RAID 1 + Spare |
Two drives have identical data, plus one drive is used for rebuilding in case of a primary array failure. |
Seamless operation when one drive fails in a RAID-1 array. | Spare drive is not accessible to the user. | Only one drive is needed for recovery. |
Compliance and safety
Compliance letters
-
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)
- Language: English
-
RoHS & REACH Certificate of Compliance
- Language: English
-
Country of Origin (COO)
- Language: English
-
Declaration of Conformity (DOC)
- Language: English
Safety Measures
- If product has an exposed circuit board, do not touch the product under power.
- If Class 1 Laser Product. Laser radiation is present when the system is open.
- Wiring terminations should not be made with the product and/or electric lines under power.
- Product installation and/or mounting should be completed by a certified professional as per the local safety and building code guidelines.
- Cables (including power and charging cables) should be placed and routed to avoid creating electric, tripping or safety hazards.
*Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Customer Reviews
(5 reviews)3.6 out of 5 stars
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A really nice compact and very reserved design. This is the only drive enclosure I could find that fit 2.5" HDDs and SSDs, with SATA 3 and USB3. Very please with this, coupled with two WD red dives it very fast and runs very cool. The only improvement I would make would be to add a quick release/open latch rather than screw entry.
Great Drive But Doesn't Work with 5TB 2.5" Drives
I bought this last week. It's a nice case - compact, light, bus-powered, USB 3.0, takes 15mm 2.5" drives - exactly what I was wanting. Alas, it does not work with 5TB Seagate Barracuda 2.5" drives - and this was not obvious on the Amazon product page. I realise now that it has only been tested with 2TB drives. Gutted! Will there be a firmware update for it that will allow it to use 5TB drives?? I hope so!
Thank you for your review of S252BU33R.
Although it has only been tested with drives up to 2TB, we don't expect any issues using this enclosure with larger drives. We recommend contacting us directly so that we can find out the problem and get your setup working as quickly as possible. You can reach our Technical Advisors 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, at 1-800 265-1844 or www.startech.com/chat.
Great Enclosure
I use it with MacOS 10.13.4 in RAID mode for TimeMachine Backup. Works great.
Unfortunately no firmware updater for MacOS X available :-(
Painfully slow with RAID 0
Bought this enclosure to use as a RAID 0 large storage option. Unfortunately it is slower than the base drives by an order of magnitude (14-16MB per second throughput). do not purchase it if you are going to use it for RAID 0.
Thank you for your feedback on S252BU33ER. We're sorry for the slow speeds you're seeing and would like to help.
There are some factors that could affect how fast your transfers go including how the data is being written on the drives, other operations going on your computer, the speed of the USB port the enclosure is connected to, and others. This, however, may not account for the speeds you're seeing.
We recommend contacting us directly so that we can find out the problem and get your setup working as intended as quickly as possible. You can reach our Technical Advisors 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, at 1-800 265-1844 or www.startech.com/chat.
Works great
Have owned this device for several years, and it just works. I'm extremely happy with this product.
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