Question Recommendations for a cool-running USBN Hub with 8+ ports ?

[leehester]

Is there a USB Hub that hangs off a Type C or other super-speed port, that provides at least 8 super-speed Type A connections that RUNS COOL???

I noticed the USB Hub recommendation that TH posted for Sabrent, but did not specifically note anything about heat. I currently have a Latorice hub with 10 data ports and 3 charging ports that I want to stop using because of its excessive heat. I DO NOT use it for charging and don't have the external power supply connected, but it runs very, very hot with or without the external power supply. I know heat degrades flash drives over time and that is mainly what I use a hub for, long-term flash storage on multiple large thumb drives.

 

[Ralston18]

[Moderator Note: moving thread from Computer Peripherals to Storage. More applicable category.]

This hub?

Latorice 10 Port Hub

Noted:

"I DO NOT use it for charging and don't have the external power supply connected,"

Even though the hub runs hot with or without the external power supply is there any reason for not using the external power supply?

As I understand it, flash drives are not intended as "long term storage" in the manner that, as I understand your post, the flash drives are currently being used.

Especially if the flash drives are mapped to the host system/network and constantly undergoing R/W activities.

And where does the hub sit? Lots of open air around the hub? Or perhaps up on a metal rack to help with surrounding air flows.

Overall, my concern is that another hub will not run any cooler. Simply because of the current use and configuration.

More information about the requirements and environment will be helpful.

There may be other thoughts, ideas, and specific suggestions.

 

[leehester]

[Moderator Note: moving thread from Computer Peripherals to Storage. More applicable category.]

This hub?

Latorice 10 Port Hub

Noted:

"I DO NOT use it for charging and don't have the external power supply connected,"

Even though the hub runs hot with or without the external power supply is there any reason for not using the external power supply?

Other than that it is another overall source of heat, no. But I do not notice a temperature difference on the hub itself with or without it.

As I understand it, flash drives are not intended as "long term storage" in the manner that, as I understand your post, the flash drives are currently being used.

Yes, their internal charge will dissipate over time, but that is usually over as many as 10 years. Recopying the data every few years should hopefully keep it "fresh."

Especially if the flash drives are mapped to the host system/network and constantly undergoing R/W activities.

Effectively I use it like a WORM, Write Once Read Many Times, other than the occasional recopying refresh.

And where does the hub sit? Lots of open air around the hub? Or perhaps up on a metal rack to help with surrounding air flows.

Definitely tried to keep it in the open. I eventually put heatsinks all over the outside. That didn't help much. Recently, I've been copying everything off and in doing so, have depopulated the ports. I notice that there is a lot of warmth coming out of the open ports. So it looks as if even though the ends of the hub are vented, the top and bottom aren't and a lot of the heat end up exhausting out the open ports. Since I have it mostly populated in use, that doesn't happen.

Overall, my concern is that another hub will not run any cooler. Simply because of the current use and configuration.

Dunno, that is why I'm asking.

More information about the requirements and environment will be helpful.

That pretty much covers it. I've had RAID5 arrays lose enough disks to be unrecoverable... and don't get me started on single disks. Something solid state seemed like a less volatile option for backing up things for long term storage. I'd be open to other storage options that are highly reliable and don't cost too much, though I am not a fan of renting space.

 

[Ralston18]

For the most part "highly reliable" involves more cost. Not a fan of renting space either but there may be some options to consider - like them or not. E.g., cloud based such as OneDrive. As I understand your posts the required storage space exceeds the "free" capacity offered by some companies and vendors.

Plus there are other trade-offs to be considered such as security, access, privacy, etc..

Much more than the cost of flash drives which are constantly going down in price and quality/reliability.

= = = =

My thought is a simple NAS (no RAID).

Either purchased as such or DIY with a spare computer using FreeNAS or other similar software. With SSDs and HDDs as necessary.

Then another layer of backups via additional SSDs or HDDs. Or a mix. Saved off-line and connected for backups as required.

I have always viewed flash drives as temporary storage - mostly for transporting data. And that is just backup if there are concerns about connectivity etc. prohibiting downloading data by other means.

And I can see the use as "WORM" for some situations. But only short term for specific reasons.

Heat is an enemy of electronics and as the flash drives increase in capacity and decrease in size they do get hotter.

Then at some point the heat enivitably causes some failure.

I did not ask (and not asking) about the overall purpose and requirements for the "hub drive".

However, if you are willing and able to provide more information about the working enviornment then there may be other ideas and suggestions.

Bottom line being that you may not be able to cool down the flash drives without some cumbersome and/or not so reliable setup.

Willing to be wrong about that. Hopefully there will be other ideas and suggestions.