Overview

The GR5640‑B32 is a 4‑bay USB‑C hardware RAID enclosure designed for professional workflows requiring data protection, reliability, and controlled physical drive access. Built with an aluminum metal chassis, secure key‑lock full‑metal trays, and a dedicated hardware RAID controller, it provides a stable platform for creative production, business backup, engineering datasets, and archive‑shuttle operations.

With USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, the GR5640‑B32 supports up to 20Gbps for large file transfers, production storage, backup, and data‑intensive workloads. It connects to USB‑C workstations and can also connect to Thunderbolt™ 3/4/5 computers through USB‑C in USB mode, giving mixed Mac, PC, and workstation teams a flexible direct‑attached storage platform. Actual link speed follows the highest common USB mode supported end‑to‑end by the host port, cable, and device.

A dedicated hardware RAID controller supports RAID 5, RAID 0, JBOD, and BIG, allowing users to balance performance, capacity, and data protection. With secure key‑lock metal trays, a 150W internal power supply, active cooling, and rebuild/status alerts, the GR5640‑B32 is designed for environments where uptime and serviceability matter.

Features
 

1. USB‑C 20Gbps‑Class Performance

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type‑C provides up to 20Gbps link speed through dual 10Gbps lanes, ideal for high‑volume transfers, backup jobs, media project storage, and data‑intensive workflows.

2. Thunderbolt™ 3/4/5 Host Compatibility

The GR5640‑B32 connects to Thunderbolt™ 3/4/5 USB‑C ports in USB mode, enabling broad compatibility across Mac, PC, laptop, and workstation environments. Performance follows USB link negotiation.

3. Hardware RAID 5 Protection

RAID 5 provides parity‑based protection. If one drive fails, the array remains accessible in degraded mode; after replacing the failed drive, the system automatically rebuilds to restore redundancy. RAID 0, JBOD, and BIG are also supported.

4. Secure Key‑Lock Metal Drive Trays

Hot‑swappable full‑metal trays with secure key locks help prevent accidental removal, improve serviceability, and add physical access control for shared studios, offices, labs, and archive stations.

5. Hardware Status & Rebuild Indicators

Front‑panel LEDs show power, drive activity, drive failure, and RAID rebuild progress (25% / 50% / 75% / 100%). Integrated buzzer alerts with mute control help operators identify abnormal system events quickly.

6. Windows Safe Monitoring Guard Software

The GR5640‑B32 includes a dedicated Safe Monitoring Guard utility for Windows, providing RAID status visibility, event alerts, and rebuild monitoring. Operators can supervise array condition and system events from the host system, while RAID mode configuration remains controlled by the enclosure’s physical hardware controls — keeping setup independent from the operating system.

7. Continuous‑Duty Cooling and Power

An 80mm cooling fan with High/Low speed control maintains stable temperatures during long writes, backup jobs, and RAID rebuilds. The integrated 150W internal PSU supports reliable operation across AC 100–240V environments.

8. Cross‑Platform and Mobile Workflow Support

Plug‑and‑play operation on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For mobile workflows, the GR5640‑B32 supports Easy Data Vault for direct backup/restore operations with USB‑C iPhone and iPad devices.

Why Choose GR5640-B32?

Applications

1. Hybrid Mac & PC Project Drive

Move one RAID volume across Thunderbolt‑equipped laptops, USB‑C workstations, and mixed creative teams — reducing unnecessary network transfers and duplicate drive copies.

2. Portable RAID 5 Archive Shuttle

Transport large project archives, engineering datasets, or business records with RAID 5 protection and secure locking trays. The volume remains accessible in degraded mode until rebuilt.

3. DIT Ingest & Studio Handoff

On set, ingest media using Thunderbolt‑equipped laptops through USB‑C. In the studio, connect to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 workstations for post‑production and backup.

4. 4K/8K Video Post‑Production

High‑capacity external RAID storage for editing, rendering, proxy generation, and media project management.

5. Enterprise Backup & Archiving

A scalable direct‑attached storage target for workstation imaging, small server backup, and long‑term retention.

6. Scientific Research & Analysis

Capture large datasets on a lab workstation, then move the enclosure to another USB‑C or Thunderbolt‑equipped system for analysis or archive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does the GR5640‑B32 compare with SR4‑B32 and ST4‑B32?

A: GR5640‑B32 is a 4‑bay hardware RAID model with RAID 5 and secure key‑lock trays. SR4‑B32 offers similar USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 hardware RAID capability but without locking trays. ST4‑B32 is a 4‑bay JBOD model for independent‑drive expansion and does not provide RAID 5 protection.

Q2: What RAID modes does the GR5640‑B32 support?

A: RAID 0 (Striping), RAID 5 (Parity), JBOD (Independent Disks), and BIG (Spanning).

Q3: What happens if a drive fails in RAID 5 mode?

A: The system remains accessible in degraded mode until the failed drive is replaced. A rebuild then restores redundancy.

Q4: Does the GR5640‑B32 support automatic RAID rebuilding?

A: Yes. Rebuild begins automatically when a compatible replacement drive is installed.

Q5: What maximum transfer speed does the GR5640‑B32 support?

A: Up to 20Gbps via USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 on compatible hosts. See Q7 for real‑world speed factors.

Q6: Can the GR5640‑B32 connect to Thunderbolt™ 3/4/5 computers?

A: Yes. It connects through Thunderbolt USB‑C ports in USB mode and operates as a USB‑C direct‑attached storage device.

Q7: What affects real‑world USB throughput?

A: GR5640‑B32 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 up to 20Gbps, but actual link speed follows the highest common USB mode supported end‑to‑end by the host port/controller, cable, and device (20/10/5Gbps). When used with Thunderbolt™ hosts, it operates in USB mode, so the same negotiation rules apply.

Q8: What operating systems and mobile workflows does the GR5640‑B32 support?

A: Windows, macOS, and Linux. For mobile workflows, it supports Easy Data Vault for USB‑C iPhone and iPad backup/restore.

Performance test result for reference. The test result will vary depend on the test environment.

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Specification