DiskSense 2 Hardware Unit

DiskSense 2 is built to last using the highest quality components including server-grade motherboard and CPU. It is equipped with the fastest, most reliable interface connections available. The hardware is designed to handle damaged media. It includes a built-in oscilloscope for current monitoring and hardware write protection switch for source ports.

See how it compares with the previous version of the unit: DiskSense 2 vs. DiskSense: What's new?

To ensure reliability and efficiency of our hardware imagers, we test them on hundreds of storage devices.

Ports & switches

DiskSense 2 unit internals

6 Source ports equipped with Write protection switch:

4 Target ports:

Two 10Gb Ethernet ports for imaging to a network server or NAS.

Other ports: Serial RS232, IDE power, VGA, RS-232, DC IN 24V.

Supported hard drive interfaces: SATA I/II/III, SAS3 (12Gb), USB 2.0/3.0, IDE.

Interfaces supported via extension modules: SAS, NVMe, Apple PCIe, FireWire, Thunderbolt 2 and 3 (2016 - 2017 models) ./p>

Flash card support via card reader attached to any USB port.

Indicators

Operation LEDs for all ports and write protection LED for sources ports.

IP address display.

Power switch LED.

Physical / Environmental

Other specs

DiskSense 2 unit in 3D
DiskSense 2 unit in 3D

DiskSense 2: under the hood

DiskSense 2 is essentially a small computer running a Linux OS. However, neither normal computer's BIOS, nor basic Linux kernel are suitable for handling of damaged drives because neither of them were designed to properly handle hard drive failures. We have invested significant R&D efforts to build a highly customized and fine-tuned Linux kernel that overcomes these limitations. Additionally, this kernel features:

DiskSense 2 also features our proprietary circuitry for ultimate hard drive's power control:

These features are a must when dealing with damaged drives.

For example, low-level control of the SATA, USB and IDE ports allows Atola Insight to deal with drives that do not properly initialize, have many bad sectors, or frequently freeze due to internal mechanical failures.

SATA PHY control allows resetting a frozen drive without a power cycle. This reduces the time while imaging, and the chance of further drive degradation and failure.

Current sensing allows Atola Insight to diagnose a failed drive even if it has electronic or mechanical damage. Please see Diagnostics for more details on how this works.

Overcurrent protection detects when a drive draws abnormal current and stops the attached device to prevent further damage.

Overvoltage protection circuit ensures that in the unlikely event of the DiskSense 2 unit malfunction, the attached drives are not damaged in any way.

DiskSense 2 unit is fully controlled by Insight software via 10Gbe interface, therefore, you need no Linux experience to operate it.

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