This ThunderBay 4 32TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array from OWC / Other World Computing is pre-configured with four 8TB Toshiba N300 Enterprise-grade drives pre-configured in RAID 5 via included SoftRAID XT software, which provides a balance of performance and data redundancy. With two Thunderbolt 3 ports featuring transfer speeds of up to 40 Gb/s, it's suitable for a wide variety of workflows, such as video and photo editing, audio production, and much more. If needed, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity also supports daisy-chaining with up to six devices as well as DisplayPort equipped displays. Using the SoftRAID XT software, you can reconfigure these drives from RAID 5 to alternate configurations including RAID 0, 1, 4, 1+0 (10), and JBOD. When configured in RAID 0, the ThunderBay 8 features read speeds of up to 1083 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1164 MB/s.

4 x 8TB 3.5" 7200 rpm Enterprise HDD    4 x 3.5" SATA III 6 Gb/s Drive Bays    2 x Thunderbolt 3 | 1 x DisplayPort 1.2    Supports RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 1+0, and JBOD    Pre-Configured as RAID 5    Includes SoftRAID XT Software    Read Speed: up to 1083 MB/s    Write Speed: up to 1164 MB/s    Windows and Mac Compatible

Each populated ThunderBay 4 solution undergoes OWC's multi-hour drive burn-in performance certification procedure prior to shipping. This ensures your ThunderBay 4 arrives operating properly and ready for demanding use. And OWC Enterprise Drive solutions are feature Enterprise class drives with robust technologies that provide maximum drive endurance, data reliability, and extended warranties.

Built on OWC's time-tested enclosure cooling technology, the ThunderBay 4 utilizes an open flow-thru vented design with an oversized 92mm, low-turbulence, noise-quieting fan to keep the drives running cool and reliably.

The ThunderBay 4s' drive-isolating design reduces sonic resonance and is aided by oversized, rugged, vibration-absorbing, non-skid feet.

Daisy-chain up to six ThunderBays for massive storage capabilities and increased performance, or connect multiple ThunderBays to multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports to achieve exponential speed capabilities.

With a dedicated DisplayPort 1.2, ThunderBay 4 empowers you to add the fresh, crisp perspective of a 4K display to your workflow. Whether in your home office or on a mobile studio job, seeing your work in full detail is just one connection away. Use it to free up your laptop port so you can dock in and out quick.

With two Thunderbolt ports, the ThunderBay 4 lets you daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt devices and displays while keeping Thunderbolt ports on your laptop or desktop free for other uses. You can learn more about how to connect multiple Thunderbolt devices to your computer with this easy-to-flow infographic.

Harness the full capability of your OWC drive array with the included SoftRAID XT, the most powerful, intuitive RAID management software on the market for macOS and Windows. SoftRAID's RAID creation and management technology has been finely tuned to perfection with over 20 years of development to provide rock solid protection of your data and optimize drive performance.

SoftRAID XT provides a combination of speed, protection, and compatibility:

• Advanced: Create RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10) arrays
• Protected: SoftRAID Monitor constantly watches your disks and alerts you if problems are detected
• Validated: Volume validation ensures sectors can be read and parity is correct
• Certified: Checks disks before use to ensure they are safe for data storage
• Vigilant: Error prediction helps protect against unexpected failure
• Universal: Move SoftRAID arrays seamlessly between Mac and PC2 with built-in OWC MacDrive technology

SoftRAID provides a level of storage performance that you simply can't get with hardware RAID. SoftRAID gives you increased power and control over your RAID drives and disks that hardware RAID can't deliver and doesn't lock you into technology that you can't upgrade or expand.

Whether you're finishing and mastering, creating proxies, or working with state-of-the-art VFX and AR, you need dependable tech that keeps pace with your demands. OWC workflow and storage solutions cover every angle, delivering blazing speed, capacity for all five levels of RAID, and bonus features like the freedom to daisy-chain and hot-swap.

OWC makes it easy to choose the right gear. Their Thunderbolt-certified products offer the same performance and functionality whether they are Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4. And if you're rocking a beloved Thunderbolt 2 machine, they offer an adapter so you can plug into their universe of solutions. No hassles, no confusion. That's the OWC Difference.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How noisy is this drive array?

A: As these are mechanical drives and not SSDs, it's noticeably noisy when the drives are working. It's pretty quite otherwise. Slight fan noise when the Thunderbolt cable is connected. It sleeps when powered on with the cable disconnected. I've got the unit on my desk currently with a short 1.5' cable. I plan on getting a longer cord to put the unit under the desk. Works like a champ, though, and for the price it's a perfect solution.

Q: 2. What is the difference between Raid 5 and Raid 5 Enterprise. Also does it come with a cable?

A: The Enterprise version comes with server grade hard drives. These are built for 24/7 operations with drives that are designed to run continuously. Cable is included.

Q: 3. If removed drives are cared for and labeled, can I re-insert the disk pack into any Thunderbay at later point to mount volume?

A: The OWC ThunderBay 4 32TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array (4 x 8TB) BH #OWTB3SRT320S uses a software RAID. This means the array is not bound to specific hardware. However you must be very careful in the steps and procedures followed or you could end up with data loss.

Q: 4. What is the difference between this model (JBOD) and the slightly more expensive RAID 5 Edition? I realize the Raid 5 Edition comes pre formatted as a RAID 5. But it looks like you can format the cheaper option as a RAID 5 via disk utility. Is it just the SoftRAID software that comes with the RAID 5 edition? Which leads me to my second question, do you need SoftRAID to rebuild a lost disk and run the RAID 5?

A: The only difference is the RAID software. Apple RAID cannot create a RAID 5 array, it can only create RAID 0 and RAID 1. The latest Mac OS cannot create a RAID array at all, this feature was removed from Disk Utility.

Q: 5. Is this backward compatible with thunderbolt 2?

A: Yes, using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.

Q: 6. In the future can I upgrade the drives to other, larger drives?

A: Absolutely!

Q: 7. Is this compatible with M1 Macbook Pro Max?

A: The OWC ThunderBay 4 48TB 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Array is compatible with your Mac.

Q: 8. Is the OWC Thunder Bay 4 compatible with MacBook Air mid 2013 model?

A: Yes, this unit has Thunderbolt 2 built in which is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 1 which the computer has.

Q: 9. Can you use this RAID on a 2013 MacPro with an Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter?

A: If your macOS is macOS 10.12 or later, yes. You can use Apple's Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter for compatibility.

Q: 10. Can I attach multiple machines to the drive to be able to access information on both of them simultaneously?

A: Only one machine at a time. But it can be accessed via a shared network connection as any hard drive can. But access means adding and getting files, not editing simultaneously from two machines. And it is Thunderbolt only, so pretty much Mac only.