LaCie 5BIG THUNDERBOLT 2 User manual

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 1
LACIE 5BIG THUNDERBOLT 2 USER MANUAL
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LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 2
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS IN THIS MANUAL
Welcome to the User Manual for the LaCie 5big Thunderbolt™1) 2. The LaCie 5big
is a desktop direct-attached storage, or DAS. Connect it to a computer that
supports Thunderbolt 2 technology for transfer rates that reach up to 20Gb/s!
LaCie has constructed the 5big Thunderbolt 2 to handle bandwidth-intensive
content such as raw 4K and 3D graphics so that professional editors,
photographers, and graphic artists get the highest performing storage for their
most challenging projects.
Use this manual to guide you through the process of connecting your LaCie storage. For questions on
installation, consult the Getting Help page.
BOX CONTENTS
LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2
■
External power supply
■
Thunderbolt cable
■
Drawer key
■
Cable lock clip
■
Quick Install Guide
■
Note on the power supply: The included power supply is meant for use with the LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2.
It is not compatible with other models of the LaCie 5big enclosure. Further, the LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2
cannot use power supplies shipped with other models of the LaCie 5big enclosure.
Important info: Save your packaging. In the event that the product should need to be repaired or serviced,
it must be returned in its original packaging.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 3
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Client types
Mac OS X 10.9 and later
■
A computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology or first generation Thunderbolt technology. To take
■
advantage of the higher performance offered by Thunderbolt 2 technology, your computer must have a
Thunderbolt 2 technology port (see LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2: Advanced Storage Technology).
Important info:
Your LaCie product's performance can be affected by such external forces as type of cable, hardware,
distance, and setup.
For optimal performance: use the cables provided with your device or, cables supported by LaCie; make
certain to follow the installation instructions provided in the Quick Install Guide and this user manual.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 4
LACIE 5BIG THUNDERBOLT 2: ADVANCED STORAGE
TECHNOLOGY
THUNDERBOLT 2 TECHNOLOGY
The LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 uses Thunderbolt 2 technology, the fastest, most versatile connection for your
computer. While first generation Thunderbolt technology transfer rates are 10Gb/s bi-directional, Thunderbolt 2
technology provides 20Gb/s bi-directional. Additionally, Thunderbolt 2 technology gives priority to the video
stream, apportioning the required bandwidth for playback. This is a critical advantage when working with
high-end video and 3D graphics.
For example, a film editor is working with two streams, 4K video at 12Gb/s and data at 4Gb/s. Whereas first
generation Thunderbolt technology may experience difficulty with the video signal, Thunderbolt 2 technology
allows it to pass without a problem, dividing the bandwidth as needed for playback.
Important cable info: When connecting your Thunderbolt 2 enclosure to a computer or compatible devices,
use cables specifically constructed to support Thunderbolt technology.
Important info: A Thunderbolt enclosure must be connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt
technology. While the ports on the back of the device can easily seat Mini DisplayPort cable ends for daisy
chaining displays, the Thunderbolt storage will only work when connected to a computer that supports
Thunderbolt technology.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 5
LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 technology: hardware RAID for protection and
performance
Featuring hardware RAID, the LaCie 5big is a rarity in the world of high-end DAS. While most DAS must choose
between high transfer rates or data protection, the LaCie 5big offers both extraordinary performance and
built-in protection. Its powerful RAID engine saves your computer from expending critical processing resources
on storage management, which is crucial for video and graphics applications that place heavy demands on
computer CPUs. Further, hardware RAID solutions offer advanced RAID configurations to suit the needs of your
working environment (see RAID).
The LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 features:
Desktop convenience
■
Aluminum front and all-metal enclosure
■
A RAID-on-Chip (RoC) processor to manage the RAID
■
Hardware RAIDs 0, 1, 10, 5, 5+Spare, 6, 6+Spare, and JBOD
■
Five SATA channels, up to 6Gb/s per channel
■
Two Thunderbolt 2 technology ports, up to 20Gb/s bi-directional per port
■
Hot-swappable hard drives to reduce downtime
■
A warning system with physical and email alerts
■
Intelligent RAID rebuild with a spare drive
■

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 6
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 is a desktop hard drive enclosure that houses up to five 3.5-inch hard drives.
Enclosures shipped with hard drives feature high-performance Seagate Desktop HDD.
In case of hard drive failure or, the need to expand storage capacity, each individual hard drive is hot-swappable
and field replaceable. New or replacement hard drives must meet the following requirements:
SATA I or higher
■
3.0Gb/s or higher
■
Spin up to 7200 RPM
■
For further information on compatible hard drives, visit LaCie support.
SPECIFICATIONS
Storage management
The 5big storage is managed by the software utility, LaCie RAID Manager. See Software.
Enclosure dimensions
Side Dimensions (in / mm)
Width 6.8 / 173
Height 8.6 / 220
Length 7.7 / 196
Enclosure weight
Hard drives Weight (lbs / Kg)
0 10.4 / 4.7
5 16.8 / 7.6

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 7
Temperature ranges
Ambient environment Temperature range
Standard (operating) +5ºC to +40ºC
Storage (non-operating) -20ºC to +60ºC
Humidity
Environment Humidity range
Standard (operating) 10% to 60% non-condensing
Storage (non-operating) 5% to 85% non-condensing
Electrical
Power supply: 100-240VAC; 50/60Hz; 150W
Note on the power supply: The included power supply is meant for use with the LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2.
It is not compatible with other models of the LaCie 5big enclosure. Further, the LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2
cannot use power supplies shipped with other models of the LaCie 5big enclosure.
Acoustics
State Noise (dBA)
Standby Negligible
Idle 25-28
Operational 25-29
Note: These measurements have been made under normal conditions, one meter/three feet from the front
of the product. It may vary with conditions and product configuration.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 8
VIEWS
Front panel view
Status LED/power button: The LED indicates that the device is powered on and provides status signals1.
(see System LEDs). It is also the power button. A short push will spin down the LaCie 5big’s hard drives and
place the system into idle mode. A long push is for emergency use only since it cuts power to the system
without spinning the hard drives down. See Operation for more details.
For details on LED behavior. See System LEDs.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 9
Rear panel view
Hard drive status LEDs: Indicates hard drive activity and health (see System LEDs).1.
Swappable hard drive trays: Hard drive trays can be unlocked and removed to replace failed hard drives.2.
The LaCie 5big storage is hot-swappable.
Cable management clasp port: Connect the included cable management clasp to this port.3.
Power input: Insert the AC adapter supplied with the LaCie 5big. See Setting Up.4.
Thunderbolt 2 ports: The ports are not preconfigured with specific roles. Therefore, you can use either port5.
as the host, connected to a computer, or the daisy chain, connected to other compatible devices. See Setting
Up and Daisy Chain.
Kensington™ lock port: Use this port to physically lock the 5big to a desk or rack.6.
Hard drive tray lock: The hard drive trays are fastened to the enclosure when the indicator points to the7.
locked icon.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 10
SYSTEM LEDS
The LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 LEDs provide information on the system status. Review the illustrations below for
the LED locations on the chassis.
FRONT
Status1.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 11
REAR
Hard drive status LEDs1.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 12
LED BEHAVIOR
General LED behavior
The list of colors below will help you identify the general status of your LaCie 5big:
Color State
Solid blue Ready
Slow blinking blue Idle mode
Fast blinking blue Startup and shutdown
Blinking red and blue RAID synchronization
Blinking red Warning
Solid red Error

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 13
Status and disk LEDs
The status and disk LEDs work together to provide up-to-date details on your LaCie 5big’s health.
Status LED
Behavior Disk LEDs Behavior State
Fast blinking blue Blinking blue Startup and shutdown
Slow blinking blue Off Disks have spun down and the Thunderbolt 2 ports
are in idle mode, allowing for daisy chain
Solid blue Solid blue The DAS is ready.
Solid blue Blinking blue for working disks The hard drives are being accessed (read/write).
Blinking blue/red Blinking blue/red RAID synchronizing
Blinking red Solid red for non-functional
disks
RAID is degraded. Data remains intact but the array
is no longer protected should another disk fail.
Blinking red Blinking red on a disk Disk warning. A hard drive may be experiencing
errors or, it is about to fail.
Solid red Solid red for a non-functional
or failed disk
One or more disks have failed and the RAID is
broken. Data is lost.
Blinking red Blue Temperature alert; a power supply is failing
Solid red Blue Temperature is critical.
Solid red Solid or blinking blue The fan is not spinning.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 14
CABLES AND CONNECTORS
THUNDERBOLT
Your LaCie product features Thunderbolt 2 technology, the most flexible interface ever created. When
connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology, your LaCie device can reach up to 20Gb/s,
bi-directional, on a single port, the fastest data connection available on a personal computer.
You can also use Thunderbolt 2 technology storage devices with computers that support first generation
Thunderbolt. However, you will be limited to first generation technology transfer rates, up to 10Gb/s,
bi-directional.
Thanks to support for both data streams and mini DisplayPort video, you can connect either a storage peripheral
or a display to a Thunderbolt port. However, it's not possible to use a mini DisplayPort cable to connect a
storage peripheral to a Thunderbolt port. You must use a Thunderbolt cable.
Connector Face
(to computer)
Cable End
(to computer)
Cable End
(to product)
Connector Face
(to product)

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 15
CABLE MANAGEMENT
This product includes a cable lock, a small plastic clasp that prevents cords from accidentally disconnecting.
Important Info: It is impossible to disconnect the cable lock without destroying it.
To use the cable lock:
Insert the clasp's locking head into the lock slot.1.
Make sure that the interface cable is connected to the product.2.
String the interface cable through the open cable lock gate.3.
Close and snap in place the cable lock gate.4.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 16
SETTING UP
The LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 is shipped with the following installation components:
LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2
■
Power supply cable
■
Thunderbolt cable
■
The instructions below are also available on the Quick Install Guide included with the LaCie 5big.
STEP 1 - DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL LACIE RAID MANAGER
LaCie RAID Manager is the software utility that manages the LaCie 5big’s storage. Before connecting the
enclosure to your computer, download the installer for LaCie RAID Manager. The installer will load the software
utility and the driver to recognize the storage.
Download the installer at http://www.lacie.com/support/raidmanager.1.
Launch the installer on the computer that will connect to the LaCie 5big.2.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.3.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 17
STEP 2 - THUNDERBOLT 2 CONNECTION
Connect the included Thunderbolt cable to:
The LaCie 5big1.
The computer2.
Note on a Thunderbolt daisy chain: You can also connect a second Thunderbolt cable to daisy chain
compatible devices to the LaCie 5big. A Thunderbolt daisy chain supports up to seven devices, including the
computer. See Daisy Chain for further information.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 18
STEP 3 - POWER CONNECTION
Connect the power supply in the following order:
The LaCie 5big power input1.
A live power outlet2.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 19
STEP 4 - POWER BUTTON
Apply a short press to the front LED button to power on the LaCie 5big.
Note:Make certain that the LaCie 5big is connected to a computer that is powered on. The computer must
also support Thunderbolt 2 technology or first generation Thunderbolt technology.

LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 20
LACIE 5BIG STORAGE
The LaCie 5big storage is ready for use. It is:
Formatted HFS+ for Mac
■
Configured as RAID 5 (see RAID.
■
You can manage and configure the LaCie 5big storage using LaCie RAID Manager. See the LaCie RAID Manager
User Manual for instructions.