The 6TB HDElement External Hard Drive Array from CalDigit is a 4-drive external hard drive enclosure. Each drive is hot swappable, making it an ideal choice for professional environments.

The included RAID controller card installs in a PCI Express x8 slot. Designed for use in professional video editing environments, the array is capable of up to 370MB/sec sustained data transfers in RAID 0 mode.

Each HDElement gives you flexibility of configuring your RAID on different RAID Levels such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 50, 60 and JBOD. Thanks to CalDigit RAID Card's multiple external ports, you can connect up to 3 HDElements. As your workloads increase it is easy to expand your storage capacity.

This unique, cross-platform technology is compatible with MAC OS X, Windows and Linux workstations. All CalDigit products support a variety of software applications and have been validated by Matrox Video Group, Blackmagic Design and Media 100.

Room to Grow
The HDElement gives you room to grow. Thanks to CalDigit RAID Card's multiple external ports, you can connect up to 3 HDElements and 12 individual drives. As your workloads increase it is easy to expand your storage capacity. This gives your total capacity of up to 12 TB.
 
Hardware RAID
While software RAID may seem like a viable option to hardware RAID, the advantages of having a hardware solution far outweigh software RAID solutions. Powered by the CalDigit RAIDCard, the HDElement has a 100% hardware disk controller that comes with its own independent CPU. This means that the CPU uses less cycles and power than a software solution, and leaves your workstation’s CPU free to do what it has been designed for - running your applications.

Software RAIDs use your workstation’s CPU. This takes away processing power from other applications and slows your whole system down. Hardware RAID gives you the ultimate in protection from OS corruption or crashes while a software application gives no protection at all.

Software RAIDs are also generally more complicated to run and configure. The HDElement is straightforward and simple to use and includes additional features for optimizing the performance of your system.
 
Engineered for Speed and Protection
The HDElement is designed for both speed and protection. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6 and JBOD and can be configured to suit your project’s requirements. With a sustained speed of up to 500 MB/sec*. at RAID 5, the HDElement is a great choice for your workflow that offers extremely high fault and drive-failure tolerance and rapid speed availability.

*When connecting to multiple HDElements
 
Multiple RAID Level configuration
Due to the CalDigit RAID card's flexibility, as your workloads grow and your storage requirements increase, HDElement allows you to add up additional storage units as they are needed. Users can configure multiple RAID Levels on different HDElements or even on different group of drives. This allows users to have different RAID protection on different workflow.
 
Easy to Use and Accessible
At CalDigit we know that most computer users are not IT engineers. That is why we have designed our unique RAID Shield Client GUI, with the customer in mind. You no longer need to be baffled by commands and window layouts that are hard to understand. Managing your drives, running regular performance checks and monitoring your system have never been more straightforward.

The HDElement uses an environment monitor processor to run all aspects of the system. Our Raid Shield allows you to check your hard drive, add or remove the controller, monitor the controller cache, maintain enclosure conditions, fan, temperature and power supply. You can configure and manage the RAID arrays and fix problems with a simple click of the mouse. In the event of any errors, alerts or changes to the RAID array an e-mail notification is sent to you immediately.

Powered by Intel XScale Core Processor
HDElement works in conjunction with CalDigit RAID that comes with a built-in Intel XScale Core Processor and 256 MB dedicated cache memory. It optimizes low power consumption, maximizes performance, accelerates data processing and adds protection to storage.
 
Active Sustained Transfer Technology (ASTT)
ASTT is unique to all CalDigit products and was developed by our own engineers. With ASTT, the performance of your HDElement is always kept in check. Any highs (peaks) and lows (drops) during data transference are equalized by our Active Sustained Transfer Technology.It optimizes the best transfer size and timing between the RAID controller cache and the host machine. This eliminates performance drops and maximizes the sustained data rate. ASTT also helps to maintain a continuously smooth transfer rate over the whole capacity of the RAID.
 
Starting up from your HDElement
The HDElement is bootable. You have the ability to start up from HDElement if you have installed OS such as Mac OS, Windows, or Linux. Starting up from HDElement enables you to troubleshoot your system start up disk should errors occur. Starting up from your RAID Volume can also give you mobility when you need to take your footage and configured system with you in various locations.
 
No More 2TB Limitation in Windows Platforms
Windows uses 32-bit block numbers in its lower storage stack. This effectively limits support for hardware RAID sets. To get storage unit sizes beyond 2TB, one had to combine multiple LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) using the Windows Disk Management. This limitation gives Window users no other alternative but to install software RAID.

RAID storage has been around for some time now but no-one has ever come up with an answer to this issue. In a breakthrough for the industry, CalDigit’s highly qualified engineers have come up with a solution. Now you can utilize the full volume of your HDElement in to one single volume to store your data. And with our RAID Shield configuring your system is effortless and easy to execute.
 
Satisfaction Guaranteed
CalDigit stands behind their products 100%. The HDElement comes with a one year warranty. When you purchase a CalDigit product you have not only bought one of the best hardware RAID solutions on the market but you have also acquired our legendary customer support. Any questions you may have, or technical assistance you may need, is just a phone call away.

CalDigit RAID Card

We all want faster performance, higher capacity, greater flexibility and increased redundancy from our PCs. Whether you are a business, a filmmaker, photographer, musician, or managing your MP3 and game libraries, these are the top priorities for you.

DESCRIPTION
Compatible with CalDigit HDElement RAID array only.

Now, with the release of CalDigit's RAID card you have the ultimate in reliable support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 50, 60 and JBOD, with the specs you want, up to 500MB/sec. at RAID 5, with 16 drives connected.

The CalDigit RAID card utilizes a dedicated, internal drive channel within your existing system. It instantly expands your present system giving you high availability access and secure storage for all your databases and large media files, with up to 16TB capacity.

This unique, cross-platform technology is compatible with MAC OS X, Windows and Linux workstations. All CalDigit products support a variety of software applications and have been validated by Matrox Video Group, Blackmagic Design and Media 100.

Room to Grow
The CalDigit RAID card supports up to 16 drives, 4 internal (optional mini SAS to SATA cable required) and 12 external. This gives you up to 16 TB of capacity! CalDigit's unique chip technology allows you utilize up to 4 of your existing, internal drives. As your workloads increase it is easy to expand your storage capacity. Our RAID card comes with connectors that allow you to add up to 12 extra drives

Why Choose Hardware RAID?
While software RAID may seem like a viable option to hardware RAID, the advantages of having a hardware solution are many.

CalDigit's RAID Card is a 100% hardware disk controller that comes with its own, independent CPU. This uses less CPU cycles and power than a software solution and leaves your workstation's CPU free to do what it has been designed for - running your applications.

Software RAIDs use your workstation's CPU. This takes away processing power from other applications and slows your whole system down.

Hardware RAID gives you the ultimate in protection from OS corruption or crashes while a software application gives no protection at all. Software RAIDs are also generally more complicated to run and configure.

The CalDigit RAID card is straightforward and simple to use and includes additional features for optimizing the performance of your system.

Engineered for Speed and Protection
The CalDigit RAID card has been designed for both speed and protection. It comes with multi RAID level capabilities that can be configured to suit your project's requirements.

If high speed performance is your only concern set your RAID level to 0.

At RAID 1 your data is mirrored on to two drives. This gives you the best protection in a multi-user system. The read performance is improved since either disk can be read at the same time, while the write function remains the same as single disk storage.

With a sustained speed of up to 500 MB/sec. at RAID 5, the CalDigit RAID card is hard to beat. RAID 5 is best suited for multi-user systems in which performance is not so critical and that do few write operations.

At RAID 6 your system can sustain two drive failures without data loss, giving you dual parity protection. This offers extremely high fault and drive-failure tolerance and rapid speed availability.

And if that isn't enough, the CalDigit RAID card can also be set to levels 50, 60 and JBOD.

Responsive and Adaptable
As a digital professional your workstation needs to be able to adapt to, and support, all your workload needs.

Due to the RAID card's compatibility with Mac, Windows and Linux workstations and its expandability up to 16 drives it offers a remarkable flexibility. As your workloads grow and your storage requirements increase the RAID card allows you to add up additional storage units as they are needed

This gives you "pay-as-you-grow" scalability as your business expands.

Easy to Use and Accessible
At CalDigit we know that most computer users are not IT engineers. That is why we have designed our unique RAID Shield Client GUI, with the customer in mind.

You no longer need to be baffled by commands and window layouts that are hard to understand. Managing your drives, running regular performance checks and monitoring your system have never been more straightforward.

The CalDigit RAID card uses an environment monitor processor to run all aspects of the system. Our Raid Shield allows you to check your hard drive, add or remove the controller, monitor the controller cache, maintain enclosure conditions, fan, temperature and power supply. You can configure and manage the RAID arrays and fix problems with a simple click of the mouse.

In the event of any errors, alerts or changes to the RAID array an e-mail notification is sent to you immediately.

Built-In Intel Xscale Core Processor
The CalDigit RAID card comes with a built-in Intel Xscale Core Processor. Based on dual-core technology the integrated Intel XScale is the next leap in microprocessor architecture.

It optimizes low power consumption, maximizes performance, accelerates data processing and adds protection to storage.

Active Sustained Transfer Technology (ASTT)
ASTT is unique to all CalDigit products and has been developed by our own engineers.

With ASTT, the performance of your RAID card is always kept in check. Any highs (peaks) and lows (drops) during data transference are equalized by our Active Sustained Transfer Technology.

It optimizes the best transfer size and timing between the RAID controller cache and the host machine. This eliminates performance drops and maximizes the sustained data rate. ASTT also helps to maintain a continuously smooth transfer rate over the whole capacity of the RAID.

Support Battery Back Up*
An optional feature of the CalDigit RAID card is the support battery back-up. The battery backs-up the cache memory.

In the event of a power failure the RAID card will automatically switch over to the battery back-up and complete any unfinished tasks.

This gives you an added insurance that no data will be lost or stuck between your hard drive and the cache memory.

*Battery backup is optional.

256MB Cache Memory with ECC Protection
The CalDigit RAID card comes with its own, independent cache memory. This is another advantage of having chosen a CalDigit hardware RAID solution. No need to wait while your files are buffered by your workstation's cache.

The built-in 256MB cache keeps up with you as you edit and buffers your video files.

Our RAID card also comes with built-in ECC Protection (error correction coding). Any memory errors are automatically detected and corrected.

No More 2TB Limitation in Windows Platforms
Windows uses 32-bit block numbers in its lower storage stack. This effectively limits support for hardware RAID sets. To get storage unit sizes beyond 2TB, one had to combine multiple LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) using the Windows Disk Management.

This limitation gives Window Users no other alternative but to install software RAID. This defeats the purpose of using an external, hardware RAID storage system.

RAID storage has been around for some time now but no-one has ever come up with an answer to this issue. In a breakthrough for the industry, CalDigit's highly qualified engineers have come up with a solution.

Now you can utilize the full volume of RAID Card storage in to one single volume to store your data. And with our RAID Shield configuring your system is effortless and easy to execute.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions
  • PCI Standard form factor specifications
  • (L)312.0 mm X (H)102.4 mm
• Driver Support
  • Windows® Server 2003, 2008, XP, Vista
  • Mac® OS X (10.4.x & 10.5.x)
  • Linux Controller
  • Intel XScale core (ARM architecture compliant)
• PCI Bus Specifications
  • x8 PCI Express host interface
  • Supports PCI Express Base Spec 1.0a
• Connectivity
  • Two x4 internal Mini-SAS (SFF-8087) connectors
  • Three x4 External Mini-SAS (SFF-8087) connectors
• Environmental requirements
  • Operating Temperature: 0°C~40°C
  • Operating Humidity: 5%~95%, Non-condensing
  • Storage Temperature: -20°C~70°C
  • Storage Humidity: 5%~95%,Non-condensing
• Agency Approvals
  • FCC Rules, Part 15, Class B
  • RoHS Compliant 

INCLUDED ITEMS

• Raid Card Unit x 1
• Installation CD x 1
• Manual x 1

CalDigit RAID Card Battery Backup Module

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: (L)100.4 mm X (W)39.2 mm X (H)14.05 mm
• Capacity: 1100mAh
• Normal Voltage: 3.7V
• 3.3V Output Current: 50mA
• Normal Charge Current: 350mA
• Charge Time (Std.): 3.0~4.0 hours
• Operating Temperature: 0°C~40°C