eSATA port multiplying

[chadomaly]

I need a SATA addon card (preferably PCI-express) that has an e-sata port that supports port multiplying... as the mobo I ordered does not support it. I have found some on Newegg, but they tend to be in the $70+ range. I don't need it to support any RAID or JBOD functions, just port multiplying (I am using a dual HDD enclosure). I'm not opposed to those functions but they won't be used if present.

Are there any cards that are well regarded or particular chipsets I should look for?

Also wouldn't mind finding something less expensive.

Thanks!

 

[Elixer]

You sure you need port multiplying, and not dual eSATA? The dual eSATA ones are around $45+ range...

Which enclosure is this?

 

[techmanc]

I just read up here about Port multiplier. So I guess the question do you need the multiple SATA drive connections with the caveat that the bandwidth is divided among the devices or are you looking for full speed drive connections as stated by Elixer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_multiplier

 

[chadomaly]

Thanks for the replies!

Basically, I only need port multiplying to enable 2 drives with one eSATA cable. The enclosure I have (VANTEC NST-400MX-SR) has two drives in one enclosure. Plugging it in with USB shows both drives, but in order to use eSATA, the SATA port must support multiplying or else it only shows one of the two drives. I plugged it into my motherboard without multiplying and as advertised, it only showed one drive and not the other.

Enclosure: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817392024

It's kind of ironic actually... I'm having so much difficulty making serial ATA... well.... serial!

 

[techmanc]

Maybe this link will help only thing i seen for $100- might have other items there..................

http://www.cooldrives.com/cosapomubrso.html

 

[Elixer]

Originally posted by: crleap
Thanks for the replies!

Basically, I only need port multiplying to enable 2 drives with one eSATA cable. The enclosure I have (VANTEC NST-400MX-SR) has two drives in one enclosure. Plugging it in with USB shows both drives, but in order to use eSATA, the SATA port must support multiplying or else it only shows one of the two drives. I plugged it into my motherboard without multiplying and as advertised, it only showed one drive and not the other.

Enclosure: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817392024

It's kind of ironic actually... I'm having so much difficulty making serial ATA... well.... serial!

Ok, how about this: http://www.computervideogear.c...ii-card-2-external.htm It is around $30+shipping. Looks like it will do what you need.

I can't vouch for this card, or this store though. It just seems it will do what you need.

 

[chadomaly]

Originally posted by: Elixer

Originally posted by: crleap
Thanks for the replies!

Basically, I only need port multiplying to enable 2 drives with one eSATA cable. The enclosure I have (VANTEC NST-400MX-SR) has two drives in one enclosure. Plugging it in with USB shows both drives, but in order to use eSATA, the SATA port must support multiplying or else it only shows one of the two drives. I plugged it into my motherboard without multiplying and as advertised, it only showed one drive and not the other.

Enclosure: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817392024

It's kind of ironic actually... I'm having so much difficulty making serial ATA... well.... serial!

Ok, how about this: http://www.computervideogear.c...ii-card-2-external.htm It is around $30+shipping. Looks like it will do what you need.

I can't vouch for this card, or this store though. It just seems it will do what you need.

Looks good to me. Going to give that a try... it's a silicon image chipset so I don't figure it'll have any problems. Probably just a no-name reference design.

Thanks for the input from everyone.

 

[Elixer]

Originally posted by: crleap

Originally posted by: Elixer

Originally posted by: crleap
Thanks for the replies!

Basically, I only need port multiplying to enable 2 drives with one eSATA cable. The enclosure I have (VANTEC NST-400MX-SR) has two drives in one enclosure. Plugging it in with USB shows both drives, but in order to use eSATA, the SATA port must support multiplying or else it only shows one of the two drives. I plugged it into my motherboard without multiplying and as advertised, it only showed one drive and not the other.

Enclosure: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817392024

It's kind of ironic actually... I'm having so much difficulty making serial ATA... well.... serial!

Ok, how about this: http://www.computervideogear.c...ii-card-2-external.htm It is around $30+shipping. Looks like it will do what you need.

I can't vouch for this card, or this store though. It just seems it will do what you need.

Looks good to me. Going to give that a try... it's a silicon image chipset so I don't figure it'll have any problems. Probably just a no-name reference design.

Thanks for the input from everyone.

Hmm, on 2nd look, and with no documentation available, it seems that they are trying to pull a fast one.
On Top they say:
"2 eSATA 3Gb/sec SATA II Ports!
SATA Port Multiplier Compatible "
then
"Use this card to connect up to two external eSATA hard drives to your PCI Express equipped computer or through its support of port multipliers on the eSATA port?the two ports can handle up to ten hard drives*!"

Which means to me that the card supports port multiplier.
However, a bit more reading says:
"eSATA connectors support connection to SiI-3726 Port Multiplier "
Which means that the card DON'T support it, without that--I Think.

Maybe e-mail them and ask to clarify a bit, or if they have a .pdf of the manual or something...