What are Port Multipliers (PM)?
Port Multipliers allow the connection of multiple Serial ATA devices to systems through a single Serial ATA port. Port Multipliers can be used for connecting any Serial ATA device, including SATA hard drives, SSD (solid state drive), other types of flash memory with SATA interface or SATA optical drives. The Port Multiplier offers unprecedented scalability, breaking the traditional Serial ATA connection topology of a single SATA device per port.
All the key advantages of Serial ATA technology over comparable interface solutions are preserved in the Port Multiplier. Both Serial ATA 1.5Gbps and Serial ATA 3.0Gbps devices are compatible, and the PM retains the 3.0Gbps SATA channel for connection to the SATA controller installed inside the host machine. With a supported 3.0Gbps SATA device and SATA controller, the Port Multiplier is able to take advantage of NCQ (Native Command Queuing). Similar to it's lower speed competitors USB 2.0/1.1 and Firewire 400/800, devices connecting to the PM hot swapped without system reset.
What are the benefits of using a Port Multiplier?
Example of a system configuration without Port Multipliers |
Example of a system configuration with Port Multipliers |
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Addonics Port Multiplier Comparison Chart 1 (see information on more PM on chart 2 below)
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Model #
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AD5SAPM6G | AE5EHPMEU3 | AD5SARM6G | AD5HPMREU | AD5HPMSXA | ||||
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Type of Port Multiplier
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Port Multiplier |
External Hardware Port Multiplier (EHPM)
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Port Multiplier
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Hardware Port Multiplier (HPM)
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Hardware Port Multiplier (HPM)
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Maximum number of storage Devices supported
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5 SATA drives | 5 eSATA drives | 5 SATA drives | 5 SATA drives | 5 SATA drives | ||||
Connect to system via SATA port
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Yes, PM compatible SATA port |
Yes. Any eSATA port
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Yes, PM compatible SATA port
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Yes. Any eSATA port
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Yes. Any SATA port
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Connect to system via USB port
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No | Yes, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 | requires optional Addonics USB 3.0 - eSATA adapter (AAU3ESA) | Yes, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 | requires optional Addonics USB 3.0 - eSATA adapter (AAU3ESA) | ||||
Mounting options
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Standard computer case with 1 free standard height or low profile add-on-card slot |
Any system with eSATA or USB port |
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Standard computer case with 1 free standard height or low profile add-on-card slot |
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RAID Configuration requirement
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using the RAID utility1 of the SATA controller or the OS | using a set of onboard dip switches or RAID utility software | using the RAID utility1 of the SATA controller or the OS | using a set of onboard dip switches or RAID utility software | using a set of onboard dip switches or RAID utility software | ||||
Supported RAID functions
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Dependent on the controller | RAID 0, 1, 10, BigDrive, 5, 5+S, N-Way Mirror | Dependent on the controller | RAID 0, 1, 10, BigDrive, 5, 5+S, N-Way Mirror | RAID 0, 1, 10, BigDrive, 5, 5+S, N-Way Mirror | ||||
Drives can be configured to appear as individual drive to the OS
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Yes, PM compatible SATA port | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller or USB port | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller or USB port | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller or USB port | ||||
Integrated RAID controller
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No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | ||||
Bootable
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Yes on drive connecting to port 0 | Yes | Yes on drive connecting to port 0 | Yes | Yes | ||||
Supported Type of Storage Devices
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SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF | eSATA hard drives, eSATA SSD, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF with eSATA connection, eSATA optical drive | SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF | SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF | SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF | ||||
Host Link Speed
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1.5 / 3 / 6 Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3 / 6 Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3Gbits/s | ||||
SATA optical drive support
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Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | ||||
RAID status diagnostic
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No | PM monitoring software | Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | PM monitoring software | PM monitoring software | ||||
Support email notification
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No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | ||||
Maximum storage volume capacity
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2TB with a 32-bit OS, 256TB theoretical maximum with 64-bit OS | 2TB with a 32-bit OS, 256TB theoretical maximum with 64-bit OS | 2TB with a 32-bit OS, 256TB theoretical maximum with 64-bit OS | 2TB with a 32-bit OS, 256TB theoretical maximum with 64-bit OS | 2TB with a 32-bit OS, 256TB theoretical maximum with 64-bit OS | ||||
LED connectors
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Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | ||||
Supported Operating Systems
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Dependent on the controller | OS independent | Dependent on the controller | OS independent | OS independent | ||||
Storage device can be hot swapped from the Port Multiplier
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Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Port Multiplier can be hot swap from host
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Dependent on the controller | depends on controller | depends on controller | depends on controller | depends on controller | ||||
Daisy chain multiple Port Multipliers
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No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | ||||
Dimensions
(W x D x H) |
55 x 82 x 15 mm | 135mm x 65mm x 25mm | 85 mm x 55 mm x 23 mm | 85 mm x 55 mm x 23 mm | 85mm x 55mm x 23mm | ||||
power connection requirement
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standard floppy power connector | USB power or external power adapter | standard floppy power connector | standard floppy power connector | standard floppy power connector | ||||
Chipset
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JMB575 | JMB393 | JMB575 | JMB393 | JMB393 |
Addonics Port Multiplier Comparison Chart 2 | ||||
Model # | AD2HDDHP6G | AD5ESAPM-E | AD5HPMRXA-E | AD4SR5HPMUS |
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Type of Port Multiplier | Port Multiplier | External Port Multiplier (EPM) | Hardware Port Multiplier (HPM) | Hardware Port Multiplier (HPM) |
Maximum number of Storage Devices supported | 2 SATA drive | 5 SATA drives | 5 SATA drives | 4 SATA drives |
Connect to system via SATA port |
Yes, any eSATA port
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Yes. PM-compatible eSATA port
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Yes, any eSATA port
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Yes, any eSATA port
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Connect to system via USB port | NA | NA | requires optional Addonics USB 3.0 - eSATA adapter (AAU3ESA) | USB 2.0 |
Mounting options |
Direct attached to the back of the drive or a Mobile Rack |
NA
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Standard computer case with 1 free standard height or low profile PCI slot |
RAID Configuration requirement |
using a set of onboard jumpers
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using the RAID utility1 of the SATA controller or the OS
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using a set of onboard dip switches or RAID utility software | using onboard rotary switch |
Supported RAID functions |
RAID 0, 1, BigDrive
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Dependent on the controller | RAID 0, 1, 10, BigDrive, 5, 5+S, N-Way Mirror | 2 drive RAID0, 4 drive RAID0, RAID1, RAID 10, BIG 2。BIG 4, RAID 5, or RAID 5+S |
Drives can be configured to appear as individual drive to the OS | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller | Yes when connecting to PM compatible controller or USB port | No |
Integrated RAID controller | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Bootable | Yes on drive connecting to port 0 | Yes on drive connecting to port 0 | Yes | Yes |
Supported Type of Storage Devices | SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF | eSATA hard drives, eSATA SSD, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF with eSATA connection, eSATA optical drive | SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF | SATA hard drives, SATA SSD, optical drive, Addonics 2.5" flash drive kit for M2, mSATA, CFast or CF |
Host Link Speed | 1.5 / 3 / 6 Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3Gbits/s | 1.5 / 3Gbits/s |
SATA optical drive support | NA | Yes (cannot be used in simultaneous burn application) | Yes when connecting to PM compatible SATA controller | No |
RAID status diagnostic | No | No | PM monitoring software | via a lighting sequence of LEDs (LEDs are not included, pin header for LED is provided onboard) |
Support email notification | No | No | Yes | No |
Maximum storage volume capacity | >2 TB | >2 TB | >2 TB | >2 TB |
LED connectors | Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | Host link, storage device, individual drive activity, power and system ready | Host link, RAID status, individual drive activity, power, system ready and RAID diagnostic | |
Supported Operating Systems | OS independent | Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Mac OS X and above, Linux kernel 2.62 and above | OS independent | OS independent |
Storage device can be hot swapped from the Port Multiplier | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Port Multiplier can be hot swap from host | Depends on controller | Depends on controller | Depends on controller | Depends on controller |
Daisy chain multiple Port Multipliers | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Dimensions (W x D x H) | 23 mm x 75 mm x 20 mm | 135mm x 65mm x 25mm | 85mm x 55mm x 23mm | 85mm x 55mm x 23mm |
power connection requirement | standard floppy power connector | external power adapter | standard floppy power connector | standard floppy power connector |
Chipset | JMS562 | Sil3726 | JMB393 | OXUFS936QSE |
note:
1 Setting of the Port Multiplier requires configuration software from the controller, with the exception of the Hardware Port Multiplier (which uses it's own configuration software).
2 Certain older Linux distributions must patch the kernel with libata-tj-stable before they will support the Port Multiplier. Click here for instructions on how to patch the kernel under several Linux distributions.