The EliteRAID ER104UT+B is a professional-grade 4-bay hardware RAID 5 storage solution designed for IT professionals, data centers, and businesses requiring reliable, high-performance data protection. This 1U rackmount storage unit delivers over 200MB/s throughput via USB 3.0 and eSATA interfaces, making it ideal for backup, archival, and collaborative workflows where data redundancy is non-negotiable. Whether you're protecting critical business data or managing large media files, the ER104UT+B combines enterprise-class RAID functionality with flexible connectivity in a compact form factor.
Key Features
- 4-bay hardware RAID 5 with hot-spare support for automatic failover protection
- USB 3.0 and eSATA dual interfaces with 200MB/s+ performance
- USB 2.0 backward compatibility for legacy system integration
- Multiple RAID modes: RAID 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, and JBOD configuration
- 1U compact rackmount design for data center deployment
- Hardware-based RAID processing independent of host CPU
- Hot-swappable drive bays for zero-downtime maintenance
- World's first 1U 4-bay USB 3.0 and eSATA RAID 5 solution
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
SANS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INC. |
| Part Number |
KT-ER104UT+B |
| Bay Configuration |
4-bay |
| RAID Levels Supported |
RAID 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, JBOD |
| Primary Interface |
USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed) |
| Secondary Interface |
eSATA |
| Backward Compatibility |
USB 2.0 |
| Data Transfer Rate |
200MB/s+ |
| Form Factor |
1U Rackmount |
| Hot-Spare Support |
Yes (RAID 5+HS) |
| Drive Type |
3.5-inch SATA HDDs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hardware RAID 5 and why does it matter?
Hardware RAID 5 distributes data across multiple drives with parity protection, allowing the system to recover from a single drive failure without data loss. Unlike software RAID, the ER104UT+B's dedicated RAID processor handles all redundancy calculations independently, delivering faster performance and lower CPU overhead on your host system.
Can I use the EliteRAID ER104UT+B with older USB 2.0 systems?
Yes. The ER104UT+B features full USB 2.0 backward compatibility, allowing seamless integration with legacy systems. While performance will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds (~35-40MB/s), the unit will function normally, making it a future-proof investment that works with your current infrastructure.
How does the 1U rackmount design benefit data center environments?
The compact 1U form factor maximizes rack density, allowing you to deploy multiple storage units in minimal physical space. This is essential for data centers managing large-scale backup and archival operations while maintaining efficient cooling and cable management.
What RAID configuration should I choose for my backup needs?
For maximum data protection with good performance, RAID 5 is ideal—it protects against single drive failure while maintaining 75% usable capacity. RAID 1 offers simpler mirroring, RAID 10 combines both for higher redundancy, and JBOD allows independent drive access. Choose based on your balance of protection, capacity, and performance requirements.
