SAS Extension Module

Connect SAS drives using the SAS extension module. The main characteristics of the SAS extension module are:

SAS interface: 6 Gbit/s.
Max read/write speed: 500 MB/s.
Imaging at 800 MB/s
Hotplug for SAS drives is supported.
Insight Forensic features supported for SAS extension

Atola Insight Forensic supports most operations for a SAS drive plugged into DSF or DS2:

Write protection
Current sensing, short circuit and overvoltage protection
Damaged drive support
Diagnostics, media scan
Hash calculation and verification
Wiping

Device utilities: disk editor
                       file recovery
                       compare (with a pattern, image file or drives) and more

Functions that are not available for SAS drives:

Host Protected Area (HPA)
Device Configuration Overlay (DCO)
Security features
SSD Trim
Firmware recovery
Plug and unplug the SAS extension module

The Atola DSF and DS2 have a PCI Express port on its back panel, which is labeled as EXTENSION.
It is used to connect Atola hardware extension modules supported by Atola Insight Forensic software.

The hardware unit must be powered off before installing the extension module.
To connect the SAS extension module do the following:

Power off the unit.
Align 3 holes on the extension module and 3 screw holes on the Atola unit back panel. Firmly plug the SAS
extension module all the way into the Extension port and fix the module with 3 screws.

Power on the unit.
To disconnect the SAS extension module or replace it with another extension module, do the following steps:

Power off the unit.
Release the screws, which hold the module, and unplug it from the Extension port.
Optional: Plug another extension module into the Extension port and fixate the module with a screw.

Power on the unit.
Connect a SAS drive to Atola unit using the SAS extension module
Plug the mini SAS connector into the extension module.
Plug the molex power connector into the SATA 1 source power socket.
Plug the SAS connector into the drive.

Hotplug for SAS drives is supported. You can connect and disconnect SAS drives without turning the unit off and on again.