ARAID M500T
External SATA III RAID 1 Controller for 2.5" Drives
The ARAID M500T Disk Array automatically backs up system files and data in a disk drive to a second drive. In the event one of the drives fails, the other drive will take over operations and keep the computer running.
The ARAID's LCD display shows drive status, rebuilding progress, cooling fan errors, and temperature warning. A buzzer notifies users of any problems at the first instant. Email alerts can also be set up in the accompanying ARAID EYE PLUS software so no issue goes unnoticed.
The ARAID makes backup easy and convenient. It ensures repid recovery of critical systems and can be used in a variety of industries from manufacturing and public security to finance and recreation.
- Plug-and-play, no drivers needed
- Supports disk hot-swap and auto-rebuilding
- Intuitive LCD display for disk drive status, rebuilding progress, and errors
- ARAID EYE PLUS software for easy monitoring
- Supports enterprise-level SNMP management
- Silent cooling fan offers additional heat dissipation
- Also available: scheduled backup function
| Host Interface | SATA III (6.0 Gbps) Compatible with SATA I (1.5 Gbps) and SATA II (3.0 Gbps) |
| Disk Drive Interface | SATA III (6.0 Gbps) x 2 |
| RAID Levels | RAID 1, RAID 0 (can be set by the user) |
| LCD | Displays ARAID and disk drive status Cooling fan alert, temperature alert, rebuilding progress, drive failure, drive removal |
| LED Indicators | Disk drive read and write status |
| Disk Drive Failure Alerts | LCD, LED, buzzer, email, and SNMP trap notifications |
| Single/Dual Switch | Mirror-on-Demand function (allows manual disk rebuilding) Protects data in the secondary disk from accidental deletion and viruses |
| Cooling Fan | 4 cm silent cooling fan |
| Drivers | None required |
| Disk Hot-Swapping | Supported |
| Supported OS | Windows (11/10/7/XP), Linux, Mac, Solaris, SCO Unix, NetWare, DOS, etc. |
| Dimensions | 183 mm (W) x 100 mm (H) x 180 mm (D) 7.2 in (W) x 3.9 in (H) x 7.1 in (D) |
| Weight (w/o disk drive) | 1.8 kgs / 4.0 lbs |
| Power Consumption (w/o disk drive) | approximately 5.14W ~ 7.32W |
| Power Supply | AC 100V ~ 240V |
| Package Contents |
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| User Manual |
|---|
| User Manual for ARAID M500T - English |
| User Manual for ARAID M500T - Japanese |
| User Manual for ARAID M500T - Korean |
| User Manual for ARAID M500T - Chinese |
| Software & Drivers |
|---|
| ARAID EYE PLUS for ARAID M500T |
| SNMP AGENT for ARAID M500T |
| USB to RS232 Driver for Linux |
| USB to RS232 Driver for MAC |
| USB to RS232 Driver for Windows |
1. Core Positioning & Features
Q1: Is ARAID’s core function “backup” or “high availability”?
ARAID’s core function is High Availability (HA), using hardware RAID 1 mirroring technology to ensure continuous operation and data integrity even if one drive fails.
Q2: How does ARAID differ from traditional RAID cards or backup software?
Traditional RAID cards require drivers and software configuration, consuming CPU resources. ARAID operates independently as a hardware module with plug & play capability, requiring no drivers.
Q3: Does it support other RAID modes (RAID 5, RAID 10)?
Currently, ARAID supports RAID 0 (speed mode) and RAID 1 (mirror mode).
Q4: Can ARAID prevent viruses or accidental file deletion?
RAID 1 mirrors data in real time. Any accidental deletion or virus encryption will also be mirrored; it does not provide versioning or deletion protection.
Q5: What RAID chip does ARAID use? How are firmware updates handled?
ARAID uses a proprietary hardware RAID chip that handles all synchronization and rebuilding automatically without using host resources. Firmware updates should be performed when the system is offline to ensure data safety.
2. Compatibility & Drive Specifications
Q6: Is ARAID plug-and-play on all operating systems?
Yes. As a hardware-level RAID device, ARAID requires no drivers and appears as a single disk to the OS. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, and most industrial/embedded systems.
Q7: Is it compatible with industrial machines/PLCs or legacy systems (IDE/SCSI)?
Generally compatible. For older systems or proprietary firmware, real hardware testing is recommended to confirm boot and write compatibility.
Q8: What drive types are supported? Any limitations?
Enterprise or NAS-class HDDs/SSDs are recommended. SMR drives are not recommended due to potential write latency. For best performance, both drives should have the same brand, model, and capacity.Compatible HDD/SSD List
Q9: Can SATA I/II/III drives be mixed? Are there capacity requirements?
Mixing is not recommended. New drives must be equal to or larger than the primary drive to ensure successful rebuild.
Q10: Can a mirrored drive be used to boot another computer?
Yes. ARAID RAID 1 is a true mirror; any drive can boot independently.
3. Performance & System Resources
Q11: How much does RAID 1 reduce write performance? Does old SATA affect speed?
Write performance typically drops 5–15%; read performance is similar to a single disk. Speed is limited by the host SATA interface version.
Q12: Does ARAID use host CPU resources?
No. All mirroring and rebuild computations are handled by the onboard chip, leaving CPU and system memory free.
Q13: Is the system usable during rebuild? Performance impact?
Yes, the system remains operational with only minor performance reduction.
Q14: Does hot swap or rebuild use host CPU resources?
No. The onboard chip handles all operations.
Q15: Does the optional scheduled backup support incremental backup?
Currently, only full mirroring is supported; incremental backup is not available.
4. Maintenance & Failure Handling
Q16: Do all models support hot swap? Is software operation needed?
Yes. Hot swap is supported with no software required. Ensure the system status shows "Mirror OK" before replacing a drive.
Q17: What are the risks of single-disk operation?
RAID protection is temporarily lost. If another failure or power loss occurs, data may be lost.
Q18: How does ARAID indicate a failed drive?
The LCD shows the failed slot and error code, accompanied by a buzzer alert.
Q19: How long does rebuilding a large drive take?
Rebuild time depends on drive capacity and host I/O load. Heavy usage during rebuild may extend the time. Performing rebuild during low load is recommended.
Q20: What happens if bad sectors are detected during rebuild?
ARAID displays an error code on the LCD and continues rebuilding. Replace the affected drive as soon as possible after rebuild.
Q21: Can individual parts be replaced?
Yes. LCD, LED, buzzer, and fan can be replaced individually.
5. Monitoring & Alert Mechanisms
Q22: What advanced health reports does ARAID EYE PLUS provide?
The software analyzes S.M.A.R.T. data, providing detailed health analysis and early warnings.
Q23: How effective is ARAID’s cooling? What’s the temperature range during long operation?
ARAID uses high-efficiency silent fans and directed airflow. Typical operating temperature is 35–45°C.
Q24: Does it support SNMP/API integration? Can it alert drive failures?
Yes. SNMP/API integration is supported. Alerts are automatically sent for temperature anomalies or interrupted rebuilds.
Q25: Can alert thresholds be customized?
Hardware buzzer thresholds are fixed, but ARAID EYE PLUS allows customizing temperature alerts and email notifications.
Q26: Can SNMP/Email notifications be sent to multiple IT staff?
Yes, multiple recipients can be configured for email notifications.
6. Power & Hardware Details
Q27: Can sudden power loss or abnormal unplugging damage data?
If power loss occurs during write, some files may be incomplete. Using a UPS is recommended.
Q28: How does the Single/Dual toggle work?
Single/Dual switch controls mirroring:
• Dual: both drives mirror in real time.
• Single: secondary drive is powered off for static backup.
Q29: Any warning when switching to Single mode?
LCD shows status immediately and stops mirroring on the secondary drive.
7. Support & Warranty
Q30: Does ARAID require downtime for installation?
Plug & Play design allows direct installation on host SATA without downtime. For replacing existing enclosures, short downtime is needed for wiring and tray replacement. A three-step process (parallel install → data verification → final switch) is recommended.
Q31: Can ARAID integrate with cloud or remote backup?
Yes. It works with third-party backup software or Edge Backup solutions to sync to remote or cloud storage.
Q32: What is the standard hardware warranty?
Standard one-year warranty. Repair or replacement is typically completed within 3 to 7 business days.
Q33: How long are spare parts supplied after product discontinuation?
Product lifecycle usually exceeds five years. Spare parts are guaranteed for at least three years after discontinuation.
Q34: How is drive compatibility tested? Will firmware support new large drives?
Accordance tests HDDs/SSDs extensively, including repeated power cycles, hot swap, high load, and long rebuild scenarios to ensure compatibility and stability.
Q35: Does ARAID provide data recovery services?
Data recovery services are not provided.
Q36: If both drives were previously used as primary in ARAID, will there be boot issues?
No. The LCM will show a Double Source warning. Insert the intended primary drive first, boot successfully, then insert the other drive to sync.