Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
InstallingtheAntecEasySATADockingStation
The next step is to install the Antec Easy SATA hard drive docking station. At first
glance, it might seem that installing the Easy SATA presents a resource-allocation
conflict. The Intel DH55TC motherboard provides two eSATA-enabled ports.
The front-panel eSATA port that we just connected uses one of those eSATA
motherboard ports, leaving us with only one available.
But the Antec Easy SATA unit requires two more motherboard SATA connec-
tors. One of those connects to the Easy SATA using a standard SATA data cable.
The second connects via the captive cable (shown in Figure 4-47) to the exter-
nal eSATA port on the front bezel of the Easy SATA unit. So it appears that we
need a total of three eSATA motherboard ports, one more than we have.
Figure 4-47. Power and data connectors on the rear of the Antec Easy SATA hard drive
docking station
At this point, we wondered exactly what the difference was between the red
eSATA motherboard ports and the black standard SATA motherboard ports. The
connectors appear identical except for color, and they accept the same cables.
We examined the ports closely to see if there were any physical differences—for
example, different pin lengths to support hot-plugging—but could see no dif-
ferences at all.
So we asked one of our technical contacts at Intel, who explained it all to us.
The only difference between the red eSATA motherboard connectors and the
black standard SATA motherboard connectors is the signal level. The red con-
nectors use a slightly higher signaling voltage to allow using the longer cables
supported by the eSATA specification. The higher voltage on the red ports
won't harm standard SATA devices, and eSATA devices work properly on the
black ports if the cable lengths are kept short. So, as it turned out, we didn't
have a problem at all. We connected the two red eSATA motherboard ports to
the eSATA jacks on the Mini P180 case and the front bezel of the Antec Easy
SATA unit. We then used a standard black SATA motherboard port to connect
the removable drive bay portion of the Easy SATA.
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