CRU RAX210-XJ DAS Hard Drive Array

The CRU RAX210-XJ is a compact, high-performance 2-bay DAS enclosure engineered for professional data storage in data centers, studios, and workstation environments. Designed to fit in a standard 1U rack, this drive array brings together robust build quality, tool-free drive insertion, and a versatile Multilane SFF-8088 interface to deliver dependable storage throughput for demanding workloads. With two 3.5" SATA drives supported, the RAX210-XJ makes it easier than ever to scale storage, backup assets, and expand your direct-attached storage footprint without sacrificing efficiency or space. Its front-loading design and TrayFree bays simplify drive maintenance and expansion, so you can focus on your work rather than hardware setup.

• TrayFree drive bays for screwless, tool-free installation: Open the door, slide a 3.5" SATA drive into the bay, and close the door. No screws, no mounting trays, and no fuss—perfect for rapid drive replacement and ongoing maintenance.
• 2-bay JBOD in a slim 1U rackmount chassis: A compact, rack-ready enclosure that supports up to two 3.5" SATA drives, providing flexible direct-attached storage expansion in a space-efficient form factor.
• 6 Gb/s performance with a Multilane SFF-8088 interface: Delivers solid throughput for demanding workloads, enabling fast data transfer between hosts and drives while maintaining compatibility with a range of controllers and backplanes.
• Front-accessible, user-friendly design: Front-loading bays and an open access door streamline drive installation, maintenance, and upgrades, minimizing downtime in busy work environments.
• Ideal DAS solution for backups, media, and workflow acceleration: A dependable, expandable storage option for media libraries, post-production pipelines, archiving, and high-velocity backups without complex setup.

Technical Details of CRU RAX210-XJ

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install CRU RAX210-XJ

• Prepare your rack and location: Ensure you have a clean, stable 19-inch rack space in a controlled environment. Confirm the enclosure will fit in a 1U footprint and that there is sufficient airflow around the unit.
• Mount the enclosure in the rack: Use standard rack mounting hardware to secure the CRU RAX210-XJ into the rack after aligning with the mounting rails. Tighten the screws as needed to ensure a secure, vibration-free installation.
• Insert drives (drive bays are TrayFree): With the door open, slide each 3.5" SATA drive into an available TrayFree bay until it seats. Close the door to secure the drive. Repeat for the second drive if needed.
• Connect cables: Attach the Multilane SFF-8088 interface cable to the appropriate host or backplane connection and route any power and data cables neatly to avoid interference with fans or doors. Ensure all connections are firm before powering the unit.
• Power up and configure: Apply power and boot the system. If mounting as DAS, configure the host operating system to recognize the two drives. If required, initialize, format, and assign drive letters or volumes according to your OS guidelines. Verify drive health and accessibility via your host OS or management software.
• Operational check: Confirm that both drives are recognized, health statuses are green (or healthy according to your OS), and that data can be written/read as expected. Regularly monitor through your preferred storage management tools and perform routine maintenance as part of standard data-management practices.

Frequently asked questions

• What drives does the CRU RAX210-XJ support? It supports two 3.5" SATA drives in a 2-bay JBOD configuration. Drive capacity is determined by the drives you install, so you can mix and match capacities up to the chassis limits.
• Is this enclosure hot-swappable? The TrayFree bays enable straightforward drive insertion and removal, providing a quick way to replace drives. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for drive replacement and data safety in production environments.
• What interface does it use? The RAX210-XJ uses a Multilane SFF-8088 interface to connect to hosts or backplanes, delivering solid data-transfer performance for DAS workloads.
• Is this enclosure RAID-capable? The RAX210-XJ is described as a 2-bay JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) enclosure. RAID configurations (if needed) would typically be implemented at the host controller or via a software-defined storage layer, not within the enclosure itself.
• What form factor is it? It is a 1U rackmount enclosure, designed for data-center-grade racks and professional workstations that require compact, scalable storage within a standard rack footprint.
• How do I replace a failed drive? Open the front door, slide out the failed drive from its TrayFree bay, and insert a new drive in its place. Close the door and allow the host system to reinitialize and rebalance as needed, following your OS or storage management software procedures.