Sonnet Fusion F3 – Quad Interface RAID – 6.0TB

Versatile Storage

Where you’ll use a storage system will often determine your selection. Whether sitting on a desk, mounted in a server or equipment rack, or placed on whatever surface you can find while working on location, Sonnet’s Fusion™ F3 is a great choice for your high-speed storage needs. This 6TB⁽¹⁾, 2-drive hardware RAID storage system has the features demanded by audio and video professionals—high throughput performance, high capacity, rugged design, and quiet operation—plus the flexibility of a quad interface and the convenience of an integrated universal power supply. Fusion F3 encloses its high-performance 3.5″ 7200 RPM SATA drives in a stylish aluminum and steel case that fits equally well in recording studios, high-end A/V racks, and desktop or mobile video editing systems.

All the Right Connections

Connecting Fusion F3 to your computer is simple. This storage system features a quad interface that requires just a single data cable to connect the enclosure to an eSATA host controller card for the fastest data transfers possible. This efficient interface simplifies setup and cuts cable clutter without compromising performance. No SATA? No problem—connected via a single FireWire® 800, FireWire 400, or USB 2.0 cable, the drives can be accessed at the full speed of the respective interface. Sonnet includes the cables for each interface (USB 2.0 with standard, full-size A and B connectors, FireWire 400 to FireWire 800, FireWire 800, and eSATA with Sonnet-exclusive locking connectors) so you don’t need to buy a new one or search for a spare.

Internal Hardware RAID

A built-in high performance RAID controller manages Fusion F3’s drives and supports Fast (RAID 0), Safe (RAID 1), and, particularly important to the pro-audio community, JBOD⁽²⁾ (Just a Bunch of Disks) configurations, so you can choose the setup that best suits your needs. Whether you choose Fast for the best performance, Safe for a mirrored backup of your data, or JBOD to work with twice as many audio tracks, changing the drive configuration is nearly as simple as turning the knob on the front of the enclosure and pressing and holding the recessed format button, no application software is required. Unlike some other storage systems, if you move the F3 from computer to computer and change configurations for new projects, you don’t have to worry about whether the RAID control application is installed on each computer. Because drive configuration is OS independent, the F3 can be connected directly to an audio editing/mixing interface (and other devices that support the feature) via FireWire interface without requiring a computer to link the storage system and device.

Maximum Performance

When set to Fast mode (RAID 0) and the system connected through an eSATA controller like one of Sonnet’s Tempo PCIe or ExpressCard/34 host adapters, Fusion F3 can sustain transfer rates of up to 200 MB/sec read and write, perfect for multichannel audio work and fast enough for multiple streams of compressed video editing. When set to Safe mode (RAID 1) and the system connected via eSATA, Fusion F3 can sustain read/write transfer rates of up to 105 MB/sec while protecting the data by mirroring files on both drives. When set to JBOD mode and the system connected via FireWire or USB, Fusion F3 supports independent seeks of its drives, enabling your audio editing app to work with twice as many tracks as RAID 0, RAID 1, or Span configuration will allow.

Rugged and Reliable

Fusion F3’s rugged aluminum and steel case is designed to withstand rough handling, but what’s inside makes this storage system unique and well suited for use in environments such as moving vehicles and front of house equipment racks that cause lesser systems to fail. Mounted side-by-side, each of the F3’s drives is mounted on its own multi-axis shock/vibration isolation sled to virtually eliminate vibration-related problems such as missed seek operations, and cross-coupled vibration—a potential source of soft-error-induced skipped frames in video capture and playback. Fusion F3 supports Sonnet’s exclusive locking eSATA cables, which provide a secure link between the F3 and Tempo PCIe and PCI-X eSATA host controller cards, even when subjected to heavy vibration. Dual temperature-controlled fans with automatic failover help ensure system reliability in difficult operating conditions. Doubling up on fans offers another advantage over storage systems using a single fan by operating at lower speeds and moving more air through the enclosure. In addition, lower spinning speeds mean less noise in your working environment.

Elegant, Informative, and Subtle

Fusion F3’s attractive milled aluminum faceplate and metal controls lend it the appearance of an audiophile component. This handsome face sports multiple LED indicators, providing you instant drive configuration (RAID mode), drive activity, drive and fan fault, and power statuses at a glance, no application required. The five activity LEDs for each drive display more detailed information than other storage systems, indicating higher, lower, and no read/write activity for each drive. Information overload is not a problem; the LEDs’ brightness adjusts automatically according to the nearby ambient light levels.

Rack-Mountable and Desk-Stackable

Fusion F3 systems may be stacked on a flat surface, or, one or two systems may be installed side-by-side in a standard rack with the matching optional rackmount kit. The F3 is 1U high (1.75″), half-rack wide (8.5″), and only 14.25″ deep (making it well suited for portable rack installations). Front mounted power and drive configuration switches, as well as the status indicators are perfect for rack accessibility. An integrated power supply ensures there’s no external brick to dangle or come unplugged. On the go? Sonnet includes a briefcase-style carrying case made just for the Fusion F3, with space for the drive, interface cables, and power cord.

Compatibility

Platform independent—Works with Mac® or Windows®⁽²⁾ , or Linux® computers

Technical Notes

1. JBOD mode requires use of USB or FireWire interface.
2. To support 6TB volumes under Windows requires Windows XP 64-bit, Windows Server 2003 SP1, Windows Vista Enterprise/Ultimate (32- and 64-bit versions), Windows Server 2008 (32- and 64-bit versions), or Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate (32- and 64-bit versions). In order to create volumes greater than 2TB under these operating systems, you must convert the disk to GPT file system. Windows XP 32-bit, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, and Windows Vista Business do not support volumes greater than 2TB.

Specifications subject to change without notice.