eSATA enclosures

[groo]

simple question.

why do eSATA enclosure list a capacity limit??

doesn't the data just go direct over the cable? why should what is basicly a converter cable with an external power supply limit storage?

 

[SomeJoe7777]

Depends on how the enclosure is designed.

Some enclosures that are eSATA only don't have any electronics in them at all ... just a cable that connects the eSATA external port to an internal SATA pigtail. These enclosures should not have any size limit.

Other enclosures that offer eSATA also have a 1394 or USB external connection, or have the ability to use an IDE/PATA drive inside rather than SATA. For these enclosures, the electronics that are doing the interface bridging can impose a size limitation.

Conceivably, some enclosures might state a size limit to ensure that you only use lower capacity drives, which run cooler, and are therefore within the enclosure's thermal limitations. I would say these enclosures would be marginal for any use in the first place.