FAQ
TL;DR: Up to 20 TB arrays, “extension for building a NAS server” [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824], run on Pi 4 via JMS561 bridge. Driver pack adds RAID 0/1/5 and Ubuntu support. Power needs range from 30 W (2.5”) to 60 W (3.5”).
Why it matters: It turns a low-cost SBC into a multi-drive NAS without PCIe hats.
Quick Facts
• 2 or 4 SATA III ports, JMicron JMS561 USB-SATA bridge [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
• Max capacity: 10 TB (DUAL) or 20 TB (QUAD) per array [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
• Power: 30 W USB-C (2.5”), ≥60 W ATX (3.5”) [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
• Prices: USD 25 (DUAL), USD 35 (QUAD), USD 99 (QUAD Kit) [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
• Supported RAID levels: 0, 1, 5 via Radxa driver for Ubuntu [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
What is the Radxa DUAL/QUAD SATA HAT?
It is a Raspberry Pi 4 and Rock Pi 4 add-on providing two or four SATA III ports through a JMicron JMS561 USB-to-SATA bridge, letting you build compact NAS arrays [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
Which single-board computers work with the HAT?
Radxa validates Raspberry Pi 4 and Rock Pi 4; other SBCs just need a USB 3.0 port and 40-pin GPIO for power control [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
How many drives and what total capacity are supported?
The DUAL version handles two drives up to 10 TB total, while the QUAD version handles four drives up to 20 TB total [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
Does the board support RAID, and which levels?
Yes. The Radxa driver enables software RAID 0, 1, and 5 under Ubuntu, giving redundancy or speed options [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
What power supply do I need for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch disks?
Use a 30 W USB-C PD/Quick-Charge adapter for four 2.5-inch drives. For 3.5-inch drives, provide an ATX supply rated at least 60 W to cover spin-up current [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
How much does the SATA HAT cost?
The bare DUAL costs about USD 25, the QUAD USD 35, and the QUAD SATA HAT Kit with enclosure is USD 99 [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
Is there official driver support for Linux?
Radxa distributes a pre-built Ubuntu package that installs the JMS561 driver, RAID utilities, and fan control scripts [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
Can I boot the Raspberry Pi from the SATA array?
Yes, after flashing the Pi’s EEPROM to USB-boot mode, you can place /boot on any connected SSD; micro-SD is no longer required [Raspberry Pi Boot Docs].
What happens if a drive fails in RAID 5?
The array keeps running in degraded mode, but performance may drop by about 30 % until the failed disk is replaced and rebuilt [Linux mdadm FAQ].
How do I assemble the QUAD SATA HAT kit?
- Screw the RasPi 4 onto the kit’s baseplate.
- Plug the QUAD SATA HAT onto the GPIO header and secure with spacers.
- Slide up to four 2.5-inch drives into the bay, connect SATA cables, then attach the USB 3.0 bridge cable.
Is active cooling necessary?
The acrylic enclosure includes a 40 mm PWM fan; keep it running because four spinning drives can raise internal temps above 50 °C during parity rebuilds [LinuxGizmos].
Which controller chip is used and what throughput can I expect?
The JMicron JMS561 dual-lane USB 3.0 bridge peaks around 400 MB/s aggregate on a single USB 3.0 link [JMS561 Datasheet].
Can I mix SSDs and HDDs in one array?
You can, but RAID will run at the speed of the slowest disk; mixing may also complicate power budgeting [Linux mdadm FAQ].
What are the enclosure’s dimensions?
The acrylic NAS case measures approx. 110 × 94 × 132 mm, fitting four 2.5-inch drives and a Pi 4 [Allnet, 2020].
What’s an edge case I should watch for?
If you run four 7200 RPM 3.5-inch drives from a 30 W adapter, spin-up can brown-out the Pi and corrupt the array—always use the recommended 60 W ATX rail [Elektroda, pseven, post #18336824]
QUAD SATA HAT is available in a set with a housing with space for a Raspberry Pi 4 and 4 SSD / HDD drives in the size of 2.5 ".
Comments