I have 2 x external SATA connectors on my mobo.

[balane]

I can't seem to deduce how an external SATA drive is going to be powered. Are there AC powered, external SATA drive enclosures? I've never seen any if so.

 

[imported_LoKe]

I don't own an external enclosure, but do they have USB ports as well?

 

[redice]

Im guessing those are for the external esata drives or sumtin..which would come with an AC adapter

 

[balane]

Originally posted by: redice
Im guessing those are for the external esata drives or sumtin..which would come with an AC adapter

OK, that's what I figured. I was hoping I could make a powered drive like laptops use.

Are esata drives hot swapable?

 

[Synomenon]

Most eSATA enclosures are powered by their own AC adapters. If you want to use a regular 3.5" or even 2.5" notebook SATA hard drive with your eSATA port (without using an enclosure), you'll need the right cable (usually eSATA w/ I connector to standard SATA) and you'll need to extend and route an internal SATA power cable out of your case to the hard drive.

eSATA hard drives are supposed to be hot-swappable, but there are certain criteria that have to be met by your software / hardware.

 

[balane]

Hmm. What about... Can I get an external enclosure for a SATA drive that allows me to plug it into my router and use it as a network drive for any computer on my LAN?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: balane
Hmm. What about... Can I get an external enclosure for a SATA drive that allows me to plug it into my router and use it as a network drive for any computer on my LAN?

These devices are not enclosures, they are special device (NAS) that have Network interface inside.

You can get NAS that takes SATA drives. Good NAS device (without a Drive) cost few hundreds $$$.

P.S. Life can continue, and be Good, with two empty Mobo SATA jacks, it seems tht the presence of this jack sends you to "unplanned Fishing Trips".

 

[balane]

lol. I'm just trying to find a way to use this free SATA drive as functional external storage. I could honestly make use of a network drive. Not for that much scratch though. It will probably just end up inside my machine which is fine too.

 

[Throckmorton]

Why didn't they include power as part of the eSATA spec?