CES '09: Patriot's Nifty SSD RAID Enclosure

Patriot Memory has something interesting coming down the pipeline, so we've learned today at CES in Vegas. The company demonstrated a SSD RAID enclosure that takes two 2.5 inch SSD drives, marries it with a onboard RAID controller, and packs everything into a module that you can install in a standard 3.5 inch drive bay.

The cool thing about the new drive however, isn't that it takes two drives, but that it only uses one SATA connector. Using the onboard RAID processor, the enclosure sets up a RAID configuration--which can be changed by the user--and logically reports it to the main system as a single drive. This not only gives you the option of using different RAID levels, but also frees up a SATA connector that would otherwise be consumed.

Another significant feature about the enclosure that we liked was the fact that it has a built in E-SATA connector on the rear as well as a USB 2.0 connector. This means you will have the option of using the enclosure externally if you run out of room inside your case. We found this detail to be a significant feature that will provide flexibility for many users.

At this time, the drive is still going through final stages of validation to ensure that it works with all 2.5 inch SSD drives and not only those from Patriot's WARP lineup. When asked about availability, Patriot told us that the enclosure will be released in less than two months. This is definitely one affordable and very usable product that helps to accelerate the wide adoption of SSD drives.

More from CES 2009

  • snotling
    Tuan, are you being punished? "copy and paste 100 times, news that do not absurdly pretend SSDs are far from serious market prnetration"
    Reply
  • lamorpa
    Correction to the first two sentences:

    Today at CES in Las Vegas, Patriot Memory Corporation demonstrated an SSD RAID enclosure...
    Reply
  • falchard
    What I think would be interesting would be if they offered this at a reasonable price.
    Reply
  • thomasxstewart
    With conventional RAID5 you might need 6 HDD & its sloppy mess. Cost is almost same with this & say Extreme technolgy, given potential eye popping technolgy & speed, while RAID5 Hdd just grows older, if you strung box o' 2 into 4 sata ports, then figure out how to make it really faster, speeds could jump again, ANOTHER STEP UPWARDS.

    Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D.
    Reply