Sonnet Fusion R400 Rackmount RAID With USB 3.0 Interface

Sonnet Technologies, Inc. introduced the Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0, a four-bay, hardware RAID-5, rackmount storage system with a USB 3.0 interface.

The Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 integrates a RAID controller for drive configuration versatility and data protection, and its USB 3.0 interface provides single-cable-to-host connectivity and compatibility. Its compact size makes this storage solution for use in a range of popular mobile racks, carts, rack cases, and server rooms as well.

“Our new Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 should be on the short list for anyone looking for an affordable, multidrive 1U rackmount storage system,” said Robert Farnsworth, CEO, Sonnet. “This flexible four-drive RAID-5 SATA storage system is easy to configure and simple to deploy in a server rack and delivers good, reliable operation in a convenient, budget-friendly package. The Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 is the perfect complement to our RackMac mini, a 1U rackmount enclosure for Mac mini, to support our small- to medium-sized business and education customers.“

The Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 features a internal storage controller that offers five drive configuration options (RAID-5, RAID-0, RAID-10, Span, and JBOD) without requiring additional hardware, software, or a RAID controller card. Drive operation and health status indications are available at a glance with multicolor LEDs.

Drive configuration is as easy as flipping a mode selector switch, with configuration options that include maximum capacity (RAID-0), data protection with optimum performance (RAID-5), most concurrent audio file editing (JBOD), or combining all four drives’ capacity into a single large volume (Span). The 5.0Gb USB 3.0 interface delivers performance to any USB 3.0-equipped computer, and can be connected to virtually any computer with earlier-generation USB ports.

The Fusion system provides  low cost storage expansion for a Mac mini (running OS X Server) housed in either the Sonnet RackMac mini enclosure or xMac mini Server PCIe 2.0 expansion system. A second Fusion system can be connected to a computer for added data security and HA. The user is then able to configure the computer with backup and archiving software to automatically mirror the primary storage system to the second one.

The Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 includes a quiet, temperature-controlled fan that operates at a slow speed in most situations but speeds up with more extended or intense disk activity. The unit is compatible with Sonnet’s line of PCIe and ExpressCard/34 USB 3.0 host controllers, and supports Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. To allow users the choice of high-capacity drives that meet their particular capacity and performance needs, the Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 is sold without HDDs.

The Fusion R400 RAID USB 3.0 (part number FUS-R4BR5-0TB) is available at an MSRP of $349.