How to Harness the Deep Archival Power of the Forever RAID OWC Thunderbay 4

Author’s Note: For this article, I was educated by ever-patient Cynthia H., Tim E., and Liz at OWC’s Technical Experience and Sales sections respectively. Jeff J. in Product Marketing also helped, and included SoftRAID® founder Tim Standing in the investigation. Tim’s a driver builder since 1986!— and leads a crack engineering team. Their patience, clarifications, and wisdom are everywhere in this article. I’m nominating all involved for Life Achievement Awards.

The big need

Maybe your OWC ThunderBay 4 RAID is getting full, passing 15% free space. Or, maybe a series job is done but may return within a year or so. Or, maybe a new assignment has surfaced and will need its own storage.

Wouldn’t you like to unload a RAID set and park the actual disks on a shelf, for a particular client or project for several months? Then load a fresh bunch of disks into the box for a new client or project? And archive a bunch of these sets in loud color-coded cases, to reload when you need them?

I sure do! It’s pretty simple, and goes smoothly, if you follow a procedure.

Shelving must be sturdy; these spinning 4-drive sets get heavy- roughly 15 pounds per set. NVMe blades are much lighter, but spinners hold their data for much longer, without powering up. An NVMe charge depends on its use.

The big surprise

Some popular RAID products are dead-end RAID boxes—DERBS! Some even have drive doors and multi-disk slots—you might think these enable you to cycle out a RAID set and archive it, but try to reload it? Nope. You’re locked out, because they offer no persistent disk key or other disk cycling mechanism. Load it in and it’s overwritten with a new key.

TeraBytes of data could be gone. Utter disaster! Some sellers don’t tell you this.

It might have happened to me. But something told me to first reread the docs. Saw no reference to reloading sets. Emailed the maker’s tech support dept. and got the bad news. The doors are for swapping out failed disks and rebuilding a RAID- that’s it. Doors to nowhere. Cheaper, but thin thinking.

Enter OWC’s ThunderBay series

A ThunderBay 4 box, bundled with SoftRAID—the hidden magic which binds a bunch of hard drives into a speed demon, backup beast, or both—met my expectation: follow procedure, and I could pull, shelve, or reload a RAID kit and spin it up, (or replace a failed disk).

To me this describes a Forever RAID system—FRS. Let’s set the stage.

What’s required for well-organized swapping and archival of drives with a ThunderBay 4 RAID?

• Any fast Mac or Windows machine hosting a Thunderbolt 2, 3, or 4 port. TB 2 should deliver enough speed for at least 2 streams 4K ProRes (HQ).
• ThunderBay 4 (or 8), hosting 4 (or 8) drives with Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s).
• Four matching 7200 RPM hard drives- I try to match the cache sizes too.
• Two color sets of plastic craft/photo cases, 4 each set.
  An adapter cable if needed, stepping down from Thunderbolt 4 or 3 to 2.
• A battery-backup UPS.
• A vacuum with slim hose attachment.
• A standard retractable utility knife.
• The SoftRAID® bundle which came with your purchase, or upgrade.

An example workstation

For comparison, I’ll share my workstation environment which has been working without a burp since 2017, and with my ThunderBay 4 since 2019.

The engine is—don’t laugh—a 2013 Mac Pro 3.5 Mhz 6-core cylinder, stuffed with 64GB RAM (half the maximum allowed), and two medium power AMD D500 GPU’s, each with 3GB VRAM. I’ve set it up to boot into two partitions, the first for regular assignments, the second for advanced GPU work and testing of apps under new operating systems. Editing varies from old SD to HD to Ultra and DCI 4K video. From ThunderBay 4 my system delivers two smooth full rez 4K 24fps streams- in either Mojave or currently, Catalina.

These machines are wildly popular among small shops like mine. (Today’s equivalent priced offering is the 2022 Mac Studio with M1 Ultra.) The Pro sports 6 Thunderbolt 2 ports. They power my three displays. Two of the remaining three ports are given to a DERB, and to my ThunderBay 4.

For now, I must step down Thunderbolt 3 to 2, with a $50 Apple adapter.

Power security is important

For power security I plug both computer and drives into a capable UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), in my case a 1500-watt battery backup system which kicks in for several minutes when a lightning bolt strikes a local transformer. This allows me to shut down normally until a storm passes.

A stand-alone Line Conditioner cleans electric service which often varies, (brown-outs). Even those can wreck an unprotected hard disk directory. For “clean” electricity in an UPS, look for Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) in addition to surge protection and battery backup. Worth every penny.

Without devices like these between you and the wall outlet, you’re at the mercy of mother nature or your elecric utility.

The battery in the UPS should be refreshed every few years or so.

In this environment, performance of the machine and the TB4 box are so good, I began to see a need to archive a RAID set on a continuing project and start a new one for upcoming clients. Please note: I am not describing a “hot-swapping” procedure; your TBay icon should be properly ejected, box powered down and disconnected from power and data ports as indicated.

And why not make a scrolling documentary about the procedure?

Enter SoftRAID®

Under Mojave, SoftRAID served me well since 2019, and now, thanks to a press license gifted me by OWC, I’ve installed a major upgrade to V. 6.3, which works very well in Mojave OSX 10.14, in Catalina 10.15, soon to be replaced by Monterey OS 12.5, applying the same license key. Here’s how:

• Make a record of the SoftRAID serial number used where first applied. Copy or download the same SoftRAID installer disk image (.dmg) into your second partition, open it there, accept and install the 30-day Trial version and then dismiss the dialog.
• Go into your second partition’s Applications folder where the Trial version is installed. Launch it. Drop down the SoftRAID menu:

According to Tim Standing, SoftRAID® founder:

“SoftRAID is licensed for a single computer (regardless of which boot volume is used). This was the case for 5.x, is the case for 6.2.1 and will be the case for 6.3. The user does need to enter the serial number for each separate boot volume but the same serial number will work on all of the boot volumes on that one computer.”

With V. 6.x comes a new web-based OWC license management mechanism.

Establish an account with SoftRAID, enter your SR serial number, confirm it’s set for your computer, see status, and control activation anytime, from anywhere. Great if you’re switching cutting rooms, or from a desktop to a laptop workstation for travel. (Pack the RAID carefully in a padded case.)

Your SoftRAID upgrade sandwich

First question:

WILL MY SOFTRAID VERSION WORK UNDER BOTH MY OS SYSTEMS ON THE SAME DEVICE?

Yes, within a defined “OS update sandwich,” which includes the earliest to most advanced OS supported. For more detail, refer to the SoftRAID ChangeLog of software releases.

The list specifies the most advanced OS supported in each release. For 6.3, as of this writing, it’s OS 12.x—Monterey—for all Macs, including those with new M1 chips. The earliest, indicated under V 6.1, is listed as MacOS 10.12—Sierra—two versions before Mojave. That’s all the way back to 2016!

Note: A SoftRAID Update is a dot-release such as 5.7 to 5.8. An Upgrade is a new version release such as 5.x to 6.x. Updates are free. Upgrades require a new-release license.

Second question:

WHAT DISK FORMAT?

Years ago when I first set up the TBay box, I specified disks be initialized as MacOS Extended (HFS+) and Journaled. This format co-exists nicely with the new Apple File System (APFS) on both my boot partitions.

Third:

THEN WHY SHOULDN’T I FORMAT MY RAID SETS USING APFS?

OWC’s Cynthia indicated, if you’re using spinning disks, it’s best not to change from HFS+ to APFS; there is a performance hit (due to a difference in where critical file metadata is stored, causing too many hard drive seeks).

HFS+ on spinning hard drives communicates with APFS just fine. If however your RAID box uses SSD blades, you can initialize them to APFS—SoftRAID is optimized for it. (Just be aware of their more-limited unpowered shelf life.)

If you anticipate sharing the box on more than one Windows machine, you should format the RAID as ExFAT, well-supported on both platforms.

For one-to-one or small group file access, leave your source as HFS+, and on each Windows side, install OWC’s MacDrive software, which seamlessly enables HFS+ recognition under Windows 10 or later.

Now, fully prepped, we begin swapping RAID sets, a real world adventure.

Step 1: Setting up your first (and any new) RAID set

Latest SoftRAID drivers, desktop apps, and upgrades are downloaded from the website and installed on all boot drives, in each Applications folder. Launch the app to configure your fresh disks to your chosen RAID configuration. Serialize additional boot partitions as described above.

I decided on RAID level 1+0, also known as RAID 10, fast file delivery plus mirror backup, and there it is. Details in the SoftRAID XT PDF manual.

There are other RAID levels, like RAID 4 and 5, and if you search the OWC website, you’ll find good articles and blog posts to help decide if they’re more useful for your work and your RAID box.

Step 2 – Setting Up for a Swap-Out: Labeling and Storage

Now we get a little obsessive, but it pays off. A perfect rainy day project.

I produce labels and plastic dust-free storage cases for both the original RAID set to be pulled and archived, and for the second set going in. Chosen case colors: green for outbound set 1, orange for incoming set 2.

My new orange storage set will be identical to the first, 8 TeraBytes, mirrored to a second 8 TB pair— four physical disks for the 4-slot ThunderBay box.

I use Brother P-Touch labeling to generate two 1” X 3” labels for each disk in a set, preparing a home for the first set before it’s pulled out of the box, and for the second set going in. One label goes on the shiny side of the bare drive itself, (avoid covering holes); the second on its dust case cover.

Naming convention for labels

Along with an erasable Date area where you record the archive date, add a prefix on the label indicating Project /Client name, then add to the first set—

• 1A (for slot A, first half of your 8TB Primary RAID pair)
• 1B (for slot B, the second half)
• 1C (for slot C, first half of the RAID Secondary or backup mirror pair)
• 1D (for slot D, the second half)

Note: As you’ll discover if you make each disk blink, the internal physical assignment for each disk may seem disordered; leave this up to the software. The important thing is to load and unload in a prescribed, consistent order.

And as you may have guessed, for your second set ID’s— 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

Step 3 – Close Encounters of the RAID Kind

Now it’s time to eject your first RAID volume icon from the computer desktop, then power down your computer and ThunderBay. Disconnect both Thunderbolt and power lines. Wait a few minutes for the box to cool.

I have labeled, green cases waiting for the outbound drives. I might be wearing anti-static gloves, an anti-static wristband, or have otherwise discharged any collected static by touching a metal table leg.

Ready to unlock and pull the original RAID set? It’s always a big moment. I don’t think we could ask for a more beautiful evening, do you?

Right after pulling, slap a matching label on each vacuumed bare disk, based on the drive slot ID it just came from.

Don’t vary this procedure! If it’s boring, you’re doing it right.

Notice the disk is mounted in a well-built metal sled, secured with 6 drive screws. This assembly will not fit in the waiting plastic case (unless it’s modified. See Tips in Addendum, below.) So you must swap the sleds.

Use a small gauge Phillips head driver. A few turns brings out each screw.

Flash forward—to the shelf with your first set!

Each bare drive fits perfectly into a 4” X 6” plastic dust-sealed photo case with a snap-shut cover lock. These are available at local arts or craft stores, or… you know. They come in carnival colors, like avocado and mango. I like to keep each set in the same color. They even stand on edge, like books.

Step 4 – Load Your New Incoming RAID Disks

We are ready to load and lock RAID set #2. The case color is orange, the labels were pre-applied. Now we sled disks.

Attach each labeled disk to its letter sled (or, if it’s a spare unmarked sled, any sled). Do not over-tighten screws: hand snug. Finally we —

HOLD IT!

If you’ve been operating your ThunderBay for any significant length of time (i.e. a few years), check the box for dust buildup. If any, don a mask.

Step 4 – Vacuum the box in and out

Use a slim nozzle attachment to carefully, gently vacuum out the dust clumps. Don’t let the nozzle touch the electronics at the deep end.

Do not use canned air— cold propellant can damage heated chips. Also run a vacuum pass over the fan out on the back of the box. You should be able to dustbust most of it without removing the fan cage.

Step 5 – Now Load Your New Incoming RAID Disks

Double-check that sled A matches the Disk 2A label, etc.— slide it right into the first slot on the left along its guide channel. When you feel it stop, check to see if it still protrudes a bit, and if so, give it a gentle yet firm final push to seat it on the SATA connector. Engage the lock knob at top, hand-tighten.

Repeat with Disks 2B, 2C,and 2D.

When all disks are firmly seated, with each lock knob hand-tightened, close and lock the box. Reconnect it, switch it on, and boot up your computer.

Launch SoftRAID configuration panel, (refer to Step 1) select the fresh disks you want as part of your RAID. Initialize, format, and define the RAID level, perhaps as I do, RAID 1+0. Read the manual for instructions, they’re short.

That’s it! On your desktop the RAID shows up as a single volume icon, in the name you gave it during setup.

Check your speeds

Start using it. If your computer system is double-boot, then boot into the other partition and plug in your master serial number there, as described.

In checking my RAID speed using AJA System Test Lite or Blackmagic Design’s Disk Speed Test with a 4GB test file (an average 4K clip size), I get a write speed over 2528 Mbit/s — and 2592 Mbits for reads. Quite enough service for two smooth streams of 24fps 4K DCI ProRes 422 (HQ) in Premiere Pro CC, on a ten year old Mac Pro cylinder running Thunderbolt 2. I expect improved performance with a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra aboard.

Now we copy, capture, or ingest content into the RAID volume, which obediently copies it to the invisible mirror drive pair.

Now you can sleep easy. Eventually, it’ll be time to…

Step 6 – Reload an Archived RAID set

Eject your current RAID desktop icon, shut down, disconnect. It’s time to pull the current orange project RAID set until a new season is financed.

Swap the sleds, (or see Addendum below), and reload the green, preconfigured first RAID set, following the letter sequence on each disk label, left to right. Load and lock, reconnect, fire it up, and boot up computer. Get to work!

That’s a Forever RAID system in action.

Addendum: Altering shelf cases for Pre-sledded Disks

Yes! You can affordably buy empty drive sled kits from OWC to avoid literally screwing around de-sledding/re-sledding disks. You can presled your disks, archive or reload each set in minutes! I ordered mine immediately.

These sleds are unmarked: you must either identify each with labels A, B, C, D, (or higher for a 8-bay box) or simply rely on the disk labels on the drives you install in the sleds for re-loading reference.

The only problem is, your affordable 4” X 6” storage cases are now too tight for storing a sledded disk. You can purchase bigger, 5” X 7” boxes, or … edit your cases, what else ?!

Why? Because it’s OWC Arts and Crafts Hour. And the payoff is pretty nifty.

Modify Cases with Mindfulness

The minute I indicate “razor knife” you know I’m going to advise caution.

Lay an empty sled in the case to see where the protruding knob will come through, and mark each side to outline a 1/4” notch, which you’ll cut out.

When I modified my cases, I used a couple of trigger-clamps to immobilize a case onto the worktable to keep it from jumping or flipping under a cut.

These craft cases vary in softness, often due to color dyes in the plastic mix. In some the slicing will be easier, almost like dense cheese. Others will be older, tougher, brittle — and under pressure the knife may suddenly plunge through the plastic in the wrong direction, with a crack!

Pre-score the notches

For those, “pre-score” the two notch outlines with a razor knife, making several passes on harder plastics to make cuts easier to get through. Keep fingers away from the cutting path, and wear protective eyewear.

Cut the base notch sides first, then flip the case over, re-clamp it, and cut the lid sides. To snap each off cleanly, push a screwdriver tip against the notch flap, then work it to and fro to snap it off.

Keep in mind, this needn’t be fine sculpture; my own work attests to that. Go slow and you’ll get through each case. Push for speed and you may injure yourself, the case, or both. If not confident in your use of a razor knife, find someone who is. Check for missing fingertips.

Dremel Moto-Tool users: several cutting and grinding bits can be used to notch and smooth plastic edges, but Moto-Tool bits at any speed generate heat, and melted plastic can wind around the bit shanks. Take breaks to scrape the plastic away while still warm. I use… a standard razor knife.

The second operation for a modified case

For extra ease in removing the back rectangle I first carefully scored the bottom inside edge: about 5 easy passes with the razor knife to weaken it.

Once each side cut has been made, push the rectanglar flap to and fro on the weak bottom edge until it either falls off or allows you to pull it off.

Next case: repeat, rinse, dry.

This ends OWC’s Arts and Crafts Hour.

Closing the Case: Disk Health Cycling

Research disclosed many points of view regarding the reliability of HDD’s over SSD’s for archive. Some sources sidestep the issue entirely: use M-Disks.

• Our focus here is a system requiring no conversion or re-mirroring, stored on shelf for six months to six years. There’s a simple requirement: cycle each stored set through your TBay every six months, to re-energize the magnetic platters, vacuum the box, and while the set is installed, run your system’s health scan utility on the RAID before returning it to the shelf.
• Store your sets safely on a cool dry shelf, away from any magnetic fields.
• Note how many health cycles each disk has gone through by adding an erasable note to the Date on your labels. +1 added to the date means the original archive date plus 6 months. +4 adds two years to the date, etc.

You’ve read the article. If you proceed, you must, as I did, assume all risk!

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