LaCie LITTLE BIG DISK THUNDERBOLT 2 User manual

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 1
LITTLE BIG DISK THUNDERBOLT 2 USER MANUAL
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Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 2
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the User Manual for the LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt™1) 2. Connect it to a
computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology for transfer rates that reach up to
20Gb/s! Constructed to handle bandwidth-intensive content such as raw 4K and 3D
graphics, the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 is ideal for professional editors, photographers,
and graphic artists.
Use this manual to guide you through the process of connecting your LaCie storage. For questions on
installation, consult the Getting Help page.
BOX CONTENT
LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2
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Power supply 12V (DC) 4A
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Thunderbolt cable
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Drive stand for upright use
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Hex key and drive stand screws
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Quick Install Guide
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User Manual and software utilities are pre-loaded on the disk's volume2)
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Important info: Save your packaging. In the event that the storage or enclosure require servicing, the
device must be returned in its original packaging.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Your system must meet certain requirements in order for your LaCie product to function properly. For a list of
these requirements, please refer to the product packaging or consult the product support web page at
www.lacie.com/support/.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 3
Important info: To reach Thunderbolt 2 technology transfer rates of up to 20Gb/s bi-directional, the Little
Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 must be connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology.
Connecting the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a computer that supports first generation Thunderbolt
technology allows for transfer rates up to 10Gb/s bi-directional. See Daisy Chain for details on adding the
Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a daisy chain with other Thunderbolt 2 technology devices and/or first
generation Thunderbolt technology devices.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 4
VIEWS OF THE ENCLOSURE
Front view
Connectivity LED1.
Removable stand2.
The front LED will turn solid blue when the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 meets the following conditions:
Connected to a power source via the included power supply.
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Connected to a computer or device compatible with Thunderbolt 2 technology or first generation Thunderbolt
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technology.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 5
Rear view
Thunderbolt 2 technology ports1.
Power supply connection 12V (DC) 4A2.
Chain lock option3.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 6
DUAL COOLING HEAT MANAGEMENT
The Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 includes state-of-the-art temperature control via LaCie's dual cooling system.
The built-in thermo-regulated fan makes certain that temperatures remain within the operational range while
the aluminimum enclosure absorbs and dissipates drive heat away from the internal parts. The dual cooling will
keep the drives safe and prolong the life of the device.
Since LaCie's unique design draws heat away from the internal drives, the external casing will be warm to the
touch after extended use. Make sure that the vent on the back bezel is not obstructed and that there is a
natural airflow across the casing.
POSITION AND STACKING
Heat dissipation is maximized when the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 enclosure rests on its stand in a vertical
position. Make certain that it has ample space on all sides of the casing for proper airflow.
Do not stack the unit with one or more enclosures or similar items. Stacking your LaCie Little Big Disk
Thunderbolt 2 will void the warranty.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 7
LITTLE BIG DISK THUNDERBOLT 2: ADVANCED STORAGE
TECHNOLOGY
THUNDERBOLT 2 TECHNOLOGY
The Little Big Disk 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, you have 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.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 8
Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 technology: Peripheral Component Interconnect
Express (PCIe) and Solid-State Drives (SSDs)
The Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 is housed within LaCie's signature aluminum design for easy portability and
exceptional reliability. Its internal parts have been reconstructed to give you nothing short of the best
performance for your increasingly demanding projects:
Two Thunderbolt 2 technology ports, 20Gb/s bi-directional
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Two PCIe Gen 2 SSDs, 2.5x faster than SATA III SSDs
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Pre-configured Striped Set, RAID 0 optimizes drive utilization and throughput
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Unlike starndard hard drives (HDDs), SSDs are not mechanical devices and they do not have moving parts. With
an SSD, users can stop calculating revolutions per minute for data seek rates since it is composed entirely of
RAM. Thus, accessing data on an SSD is considerably faster than an HDD. As with most comparisons, the bump
in speed is based upon the types of SSDs and HDDs as well as the throughput of the interface. However, SSDs
have proven to be faster and are increasingly available in storage, mobile, and computing devices.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 9
At the heart of the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 are two PCIe Gen 2 SSDs. The use of PCIe Gen 2 SSDs place the
Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 into the next level of advanced storage. Most standard multi-disk enclosures that
feature SSDs or HDDs share a SATA bus. No matter the version of SATA, the drives are limited to a fixed number
of channels to pass data. However, each PCIe Gen 2 SSD has its own bus which helps to limit data bottlenecks
from multiple drives.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 10
GETTING CONNECTED
Consider the following before connecting your LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2:
To reach transfer rates of up to 20Gb/s bi-directional, the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 must be connected to a
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computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology. Connecting the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a computer
that supports first generation Thunderbolt technology allows for transfer rates up to 10Gb/s bi-directional.
A single Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt technology daisy chain can have up to seven devices, including the
■
computer (see Daisy Chain for further information). If your computer supports Thunderbolt 2 technology and
you are adding the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a daisy chain that includes first generation Thunderbolt
devices, make certain that the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 is the first enclosure connected to the computer.
You can lose the higher performance offered by Thunderbolt 2 technology if the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 is
daisy-chained behind first generation Thunderbolt technology devices.
While the ports on the back of the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 can easily seat older Mini DisplayPort cable
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ends, Thunderbolt 2 storage will only work when connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2
technology or first generation Thunderbolt technology. Additionally, a cable that supports Thunderbolt
technology is required to connect the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a computer.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 11
ATTACH THE STAND
LaCie recommends attaching the included stand before connecting the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to your
computer. Use the screws and hex key (Allen wrench) shipped with your device when following the instructions
below. DO NOT attach the stand while the device is powered on.
Locate the following:1.
Slide the stand into its slot on the bottom of the device.2.
Fasten the screws using the hex key.3.

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CONNECT THE CABLES
Follow the setup steps in the order they are given to ensure that the volume mounts correctly on your computer.
Connect the included Thunderbolt cable to one of the enclosure's Thunderbolt 2 ports. Plug the other end of1.
the cable to a compatible Thunderbolt 2 or first generation Thunderbolt technology port on your computer.
The additional interface port on the enclosure can be used to daisy chain compatible devices and displays.
Connect the included external power supply to an outlet and to the enclosure's power port.2.

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The device will turn on automatically and the volume will mount on the desktop.3.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 14
RECEIVING POWER
To receive power, the enclosure must be:
Connected to a power source via the included power supply1.
Connected to a computer or powered device compatible with Thunderbolt 2 technology or first generation2.
Thunderbolt technology
UNMOUNTING THE VOLUMES
In order to avoid file system corruption, it is important to unmount the volume before turning off the enclosure
or disconnecting the interface cable. See Unmounting Your Drive for details.

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DAISY CHAIN
Use the enclosure's two Thunderbolt 2 technology ports for:
Direct connection to a computer that is compatible with Thunderbolt 2 technology or first generation
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Thunderbolt technology
Daisy chaining with devices and displays that are compatible with Thunderbolt 2 technology and first
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generation Thunderbolt technology
DAISY CHAIN: THUNDERBOLT 2 TECHNOLOGY AND FIRST
GENERATION THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGY
Thunderbolt 2 technology is an update of Thunderbolt technology. While Thunderbolt technology continues to
provide impressive transfer rates of up to 10Gb/s bi-directional, Thunderbolt 2 technology offers improved
performance with a potential of up to 20Gb/s bi-directional. Thunderbolt 2 technology also gives you greater
flexibility when using video and data, assigning greater throughput to the stream that carries the heavier load.
You must have a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology in order to take advantage of the updates in
perfomance and the intelligent sharing of bandwidth.
Similar to first generation Thunderbolt technology, a single Thunderbolt 2 technology daisy chain can have up to
seven devices, including the computer. For example, you can daisy chain five Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2
enclosures on the same line with a display. Provided that your computer supports Thunderbolt 2 technology,
transfer rates have the potential to reach up to 20Gb/s bi-directional for all devices.

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You can also add the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a daisy chain that includes first generation Thunderbolt
technology devices. For example, your computer supports Thunderbolt 2 technology and you add the Little Big
Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a daisy chain that includes three first generation Thunderbolt technology storage devices
and a display with a MiniDisplay port. In such a case, make certain that the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 is the
first enclosure connected to the computer. You can lose the higher performance offered by Thunderbolt 2
technology if the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 is daisy-chained behind first generation Thunderbolt devices
and/or displays.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 17
How to daisy chain
Connect the cable to one of the interface ports on the back of the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 and to your
computer. The additional port may be used to daisy chain compatible first generation Thunderbolt and
Thunderbolt 2 peripherals, such as hard drives, monitors, and much more. If you have another Thunderbolt 2
storage device, make certain to connect it to the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 before adding first generation
Thunderbolt technology devices and/or displays.
Important cable info: When connecting your enclosure to a computer or compatible devices, use cables
specifically constructed to support Thunderbolt technology. Thunderbolt technology cables are compatible
with Thunderbolt 2 technology and first generation Thunderbolt technology.
Important info: To reach Thunderbolt 2 technology transfer rates of up to 20Gb/s bi-directional, the Little
Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 must be connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology.
Connecting the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 to a computer that supports first generation Thunderbolt
technology allows for transfer rates up to 10Gb/s bi-directional.

Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 User Manual 18
FORMATTING
The two PCIe Gen 2 SSDs within the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 are pre-formatted as HFS+ Journaled and
ready for use with Macintosh computers. Further, the storage has been preconfigured as a Striped RAID Set
(RAID 0) to provide the best transfer rates out of the box.
You have the option to adjust the RAID configuration as a Mirrored RAID Set (RAID 1) for data protection using
the Mac OS X Disk Utility. It is important to understand that a Mirrored RAID Set copies the same files to each
disk, affecting the transfer rate speed and reducing the available disk capacity by half.
STRIPED RAID SET (RAID 0)
A Striped RAID Set pairs the two drives within the enclosure for enhanced transfer rates. Data is stored across
both disks in a striped pair, allowing them to share the demands of reading and writing files. Unlike a Mirrored
Striped Set (RAID 1), the available capacities of each disk are added together for maximum storage availability.
With its improved read/write seek rates and maximum storage capacity, a Striped RAID Set is a great
complement to the extraordinary performance already offered by the two PCIe Gen 2 SSDs and Thunderbolt 2
technology. Data is easy to access since a stripe creates one logical volume that mounts on the desktop.
One disadvantage of a Striped RAID Set is the lack of built-in data security. In the event that one disk fails, all
the files become inaccessible since parts of each string of data are written across the striped pair. Therefore,
LaCie highly recommends backing up data stored on a Striped RAID Set at least once a day. You can back up
the data to your computer’s internal disk or another hard drive with sufficient capacity.
MIRRORED RAID SET (RAID 1)
In a Mirrored RAID Set, the two physical disks are mirrored together so that one single logical volume mounts on
the desktop. The combined storage will not exceed the available capacity of the lowest-capacity single disk.
All data is saved simultaneously on each disk which means that files will not be lost if one drive should fail.

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CONFIGURING A RAID SET
Follow the directions below when reformatting the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 drives.
Connect the enclosure to your compatible Macintosh computer.1.
The drives will appear on the desktop as a single icon if they are still configured as a Striped RAID Set or2.
individual icons if they have been reformatted.
Go to the pulldown menu Go > Utilities.3.
The Utilities window will open. Click twice on the application Disk Utility.app.4.
The drives are listed on the left side of the Disk Utility window.5.
Click on one of the LaCie drives to see the action tabs. Click the RAID tab.6.

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The RAID tab includes three important settings: RAID Set Name, Format, and RAID Type.7.
Clicking on the Format pulldown menu shows the file system formats available for the drives when creating8.
the RAID. Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled).