The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Do the Sandy Bridge Clevos support eSATA Port Multiplier?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by TransformingNow, Jan 27, 2011.

  1. TransformingNow

    TransformingNow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I would like to use one of the following eSATA dual HDD docking stations with one of the new Sandy Bridge Clevos.


    However, in order to access both HDDs simultaneously, they all require the Clevo mainboard's eSATA controller to be Port Multiplier capable: can anyone confirm whether this is the case?
     
    TransformingNow, Jan 27, 2011
    #1
  2. JCN9801

    JCN9801 Newbie

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    According to the trick is AHCI compliance in the controller (below extracted from this Tom’s Hardware March 2008 post):

    "Since users don't always want to install more eSATA ports to attach more external drives to a PC and there isn't even the option to add many eSATA ports to notebooks or laptops, Addonics may have a solution. The eSATA Port Multiplier requires an eSATA port with a controller that is AHCI compliant (Advanced Host Controller Interface). This requirement disqualifies all integrated controllers that are two or three years old (ICH7 and older) as well as our reference storage controller, the Promise FastTrak TX4310. However, current chipsets and controllers from AMD/ATI, Intel and Nvidia work well, so we used a Gigabyte X38-DQ6, which has a JMicron JMB373 controller for eSATA.

    The real issue is port multiplier compatibility, which AHCI supports. It is first necessary to make sure AHCI is enabled in your motherboard or controller BIOS, because most controllers still support legacy modes. Once we set the JMicron controller to AHCI, we could get started with the Addonics eSATA Port Multiplier."

    For example, I checked with HP and their new EliteBook 8560 series (Sandy Bridge) does support PORT MULTIPLIER through its eSATA port and additionally has an ExpressCard 54 slot. HOORAY HP! I believe their ProBook series also supports PM on its eSATA (and also has an Express Card slot).
     
    JCN9801, Mar 21, 2011
    #2
  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Very interesting. Thanks. This may prove useful.
     
    HTWingNut, Mar 21, 2011
    #3
  4. JCN9801

    JCN9801 Newbie

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The SA(G/T)A continues... Just had a nice long chat w/ HP rep. Simple question: Since your HP8560p has USB 3.0, eSATA and an ExpressCard slot does the latter support ExpressCard 2.0 standard? If not then buying an eSATA 6G ExpressCard would be a waste. Several card vendors make the point that throughput will be throttled back by half if using the older standard. No luck on the answer even after a lengthy time-out to consult with an uber-tech rep. I guess with parts and components flying around from all over the world nobody knows what their stuff is actually made of these days. As long as the mechanical and electrical specs are compatible it's mix & match and hope nobody notices nor asks about the sausage innards. SIGH... Maybe I should just put off the laptop upgrade until Thunderbolt escapes the apple orchard... even redoing all of my external storage will be cheaper than going the fruit route.
     
    JCN9801, Mar 30, 2011
    #4