SanDisk G-RAID MIRROR User manual

G-RAID®MIRROR
User Manual

ACCESSING SUPPORT
▪For online technical support visit
https://www.westerndigital.com/support
▪To speak with technical support visit:
https://www.westerndigital.com/support/international-phone-numbers

Contents
_________
Accessing Support...........................................................................................i
_________
1 Welcome to G-RAID MIRROR........................................................................1
Key Features........................................................................................................................ 1
What's in the Box................................................................................................................ 1
Handling Precautions........................................................................................................ 2
_________
2 Technical Specifications..............................................................................3
Operating System Compatibility...................................................................................... 3
Front Features.....................................................................................................................3
Rear Connectivity...............................................................................................................3
Side Anchors.......................................................................................................................4
_________
3 Main Activities............................................................................................. 6
Connecting the G-RAID MIRROR..................................................................................... 6
LED Behavior...................................................................................................................... 6
System LED Status.................................................................................................................6
Drive LED Status.................................................................................................................... 7
RAID Setup..........................................................................................................................7
RAID Mode Setting................................................................................................................8
RAID Configurations............................................................................................................. 8
Changing RAID Configuration............................................................................................. 9
Initialize G-RAID MIRROR for macOS.................................................................................9
Reformatting the G-RAID MIRROR.................................................................................... 10
Inserting a PRO-BLADE SSD MAG..................................................................................10
PRO-BLADE SSD MAG LED Behavior.............................................................................10
Safely Disconnecting the Device .....................................................................................11
Drive Replacement............................................................................................................11
Drive Replacement...............................................................................................................12
RAID 1 Rebuild...................................................................................................................... 14
_________
4 Compliance and Warranty Information.................................................... 15
Limited Warranty - Except Australia...............................................................................15
Limited Warranty - Australia........................................................................................... 15
Regulatory Compliance................................................................................................... 16
Regulatory Compliance - FCC............................................................................................16
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
i

Regulatory Compliance - Canada..................................................................................... 17
Safety Compliance - US and Canada................................................................................17
Regulatory Compliance - CE.............................................................................................. 17
Regulatory Compliance - Austria....................................................................................... 17
Regulatory Compliance - Japan.........................................................................................18
Regulatory Compliance - Korea.........................................................................................18
Regulatory Compliance - China.........................................................................................18
Regulatory Compliance - Taiwan.......................................................................................18
Index............................................................................................................. 20
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
ii

1WELCOME TO G-RAID MIRROR
KEY FEATURES
7200RPM ULTRASTAR®ENTERPRISE-CLASS HARD DRIVES INSIDE
For your demanding workloads and mission-critical content, you can
rely on the power and enhanced reliability of the 7200RPM Ultrastar®
enterprise-class hard drives inside.
SHIPS IN RAID 1 FOR PEACE OF MIND
G-RAID®MIRROR is ready to go in RAID 1, also known as “mirroring”, so
your valuable content is automatically duplicated onto the second drive
for worry-free data redundancy.
PRO-BLADE™SSD MAG SLOT
Offload, make copies or edit content from a PRO-BLADE™SSD Mag
through the new PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot at blazing fast speeds. (PRO-
BLADE SSD Mag sold separately.)
CHANGE HARDWARE RAID SETTING ON DEVICE
Easily change the RAID mode setting from default RAID 1 to RAID 0 or
JBOD by flipping a switch – no need to download an app or install special
software.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE THUNDERBOLT™3 INTERFACE
Thunderbolt™3 interface for faster transfers, image editing, workload
management, and daisy-chaining for up to five (5) additional devices.
PAIRS GREAT WITH IPAD*
G-RAID MIRROR works great with compatible iPad* tablets that have a
USB Type-C™port to enable efficient creative workflows when using your
favorite production apps
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
▪G-RAID MIRROR Desktop Hard Drive
▪1x Thunderbolt 3 Cable (WD Part Number: M032-000043)
▪Quick Start Guide
▪Power Cable
▪19VDC, 4.74A Power Adapter
Welcome to G-RAID MIRROR
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
1

HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
SanDisk®Professional products are precision instruments and must be
handled with care. It may be damaged by rough handling, shock, or
vibration. Always observe the following safety precautions:
▪Avoid touching the SanDisk Professional device’s connector.
▪Do not block any of the enclosure’s ventilation slots.
▪Do not use this product as a portable device.
▪Handle the SanDisk Professional device using its edge or frame.
▪Do not remove, damage, or cover any device labels.
▪Ensure the SanDisk Professional device does not exceed maximum operating
temperature.
▪Exercise caution when handling a SanDisk Professional device as the SanDisk
Professional device may have heated up.
Welcome to G-RAID MIRROR
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
2

2TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
OPERATING SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY
The SanDisk Professional G-RAID MIRROR is pre-formatted APFS,
compatible with:
▪macOS 10.15+
▪iPadOS 14+
▪Windows®10+ (via reformat)
FRONT FEATURES
Reference illustration 2.1 below.
1. G-RAID MIRROR System LED—The System LED can be dimmed or brightened
with the rear LED Dimmer Button and provides the activity status for the G-RAID
MIRROR device.
2. PRO-BLADE SSD Mag Slot LED—This LED indicates the PRO-BLADE SSD Mag
slot activity.
3. PRO-BLADE SSD Mag Slot—This front slot provides compatibility with a PRO-
BLADE SSD Mag device (sold separately).
4. Front Cover Removal - these two locations are each marked with 3 raised dots.
Simultaneously press on these two points to remove the front cover and gain
access to the drives, and to view the Drive LED lights on each drive tray.
REAR CONNECTIVITY
Reference illustration 2.2 below.
Technical Specifications
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
3

1. LED Dimmer Button—this feature provides the option to switch the LED light
between three modes: Default, Bright, or O.
2. Power Port—connect the included power supply to this 19VDC power connector.
3. Power Button—used to turn the device on or o.
4. RAID Mode Dip-Switches—Use these dip-switches to switch between RAID 1,
RAID 0, and JBOD.
5. Kensington®Security Slot —use this slot to secure your device with a Kensington
Security Lock (sold separately).
6. Thunderbolt 3 Ports —these two ports support Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C™3.2
Gen 2. Use the port on the right-hand side to connect the G-RAID MIRROR to the
host computer system. Use the port on the left-hand side to daisy-chain another
Thunderbolt 3 device.
SIDE ANCHORS
Reference illustration 2.3 below.
1. Anchor Points for Custom Mounting & Accessories—These eight anchor points
(four on each side of the device) are designed to be used for customization, such
as attaching the SanDisk Professional G-RAID MIRROR to a DIT cart, a mounting
plate, adding a handle, or other gear for your production needs.
NOTE: Included screws are not designed for attaching accessories or anchoring – anchor screws
not included. Anchor points will accept a ¼”-20 screw. The screw length will vary based on the type
of mount.
Technical Specifications
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
4

Technical Specifications
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
5

3MAIN ACTIVITIES
CONNECTING THE G-RAID MIRROR
Before you begin, make sure your computer system is turned on with
your operating system fully loaded and ready for hardware and software
installation.
1. Use the included data cable and connect one end to the Thunderbolt 3 / USB
Type-C port on the rear of the G-RAID MIRROR device—the port with the laptop
icon.
2. Connect the other end of the data cable to your computer system (host).
3. Connect the included power cable to the G-RAID MIRROR device and plug the
other end into a surge protector or wall outlet.
4. The G-RAID MIRROR device will automatically mount on the desktop if you are
running macOS.
5. Congratulations, you have connected the G-RAID MIRROR device to your
computer system.
LED BEHAVIOR
The G-RAID MIRROR has multiple front LED lights. One indicates the status
of an inserted PRO-BLADE SSD Mag (sold separately), another indicates
the System Status, and behind the front cover are LED lights that indicate
the Drive Status. Reference the following tables for details.
System LED Status
Reference to the table below for System LED System status and Illustration
2.1 under the Front Features section.
Note: The G-RAID MIRROR will automatically power On when connected to
power.
Table 1: System LED Status Behavior
System LED Behavior State Description
Alternating between White and
Red →Blinking White →Solid
White
Power On Device is first powered on and
connected to the host.
Solid White for 20mins →O Power On Drive is first connected to power source
but not to the host.
O Power O Device is disconnected from host/
powered o.
Blinking White Data Transfer Data transfer to or from the drive.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
6

System LED Behavior State Description
O Power Saving Drive is powered on and connected to
host that goes to sleep, suspend or is
powered o.
Blinking White →O Overheating or Fan
Failure
Drive is powered on, connected to host
and overheating.
Drive LED Status
The Drive LED Status is located on the drive tray. To access these LED
lights, remove the front cover from the G-RAID MIRROR device (Reference
Topic: Drive Replacement). The LED lights are located on the right-hand
side of the drive trays. They include blue, red, and white colored lights to
indicate the status. Reference the table below to see the G-RAID MIRROR
Drive LED Status with the corresponding System LED status.
Table 2: Drive LED Status
System LED Drive 1 LED Drive 2 LED RAID Status
Red and White
Blinking →White
Blinking →Solid
White
Blue Blue Power On
Red Red Blue RAID 0 Drive 1 Failed
Red Blue Red RAID 0 Drive 2 Failed
Blinking Red Red Blinking Blue RAID 1 Drive 1 Failed
Blinking Red Blinking Blue Red RAID 1 Drive 2 Failed
Solid White Off Blinking Blue JBOD Drive 1
Disconnected
Solid White Blinking Blue Off JBOD Drive 2
Disconnected
Alternating between
Red and White
Alternating between
Red and Blue
Alternating between
Red and Blue
RAID Rebuild
RAID SETUP
The following information will provide instructions on changing the G-
RAID MIRROR's RAID configuration.
Warning!: Changing the RAID configuration will result in data loss.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
7

RAID Mode Setting
The following table indicates the various dip-switch states or settings used
for the available RAID modes.
Warning! Changing the RAID configuration will result in data loss.
Table 3: RAID Mode Settings
Dip-Switch Setting Illustration (black is the switch position)
Default or Preconfigured switch position -
RAID 1
RAID 1 switch setting
RAID 0 switch setting
JBOD switch setting
Not Assigned - does not affect the current
RAID setting
RAID Configurations
The G-RAID MIRROR supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD. The default or
pre-configured setting is RAID 1.
Warning! Changing the RAID configuration will result in data loss.
Table 4: Supported RAID Levels
RAID Level Description Advantage Disadvantage Ideal Usage
0 Disk Striping Offers the
highest
performance and
a 100% total
use of available
storage capacity.
No fault
tolerance -
failure of one
drive in the
array results in
complete data
loss.
Content creation
applications
requiring
the highest
performance and
storage capacity.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
8

RAID Level Description Advantage Disadvantage Ideal Usage
1
(pre-configured)
Disk Mirroring Maximum level
of data
protection;
identical data is
written to both
drives.
Useable storage
space is 50% of
total available
capacity.
Data
applications
where data
security is
paramount.
JBOD One or more
logical drives.
Both disks
are recognized
as independent
drives, allowing
for 1 or
more logical
drives, resulting
in maximum
storage
utilization.
No data
protection or
fault tolerance.
Applications
where data
stored on each
drive needs to be
separated.
Changing RAID Configuration
Warning!: Changing the RAID configuration will result in data loss.
1. Turn o the G-RAID MIRROR device.
2. Change the Dip-Switch setting to the desired RAID mode.
3. Press and Hold the RAID Mode Setting Switch and turn on the unit.
a. Continue Pressing the RAID Mode Setting Switch for 10 seconds. The front
LED blinking fast indicates that RAID mode change has registered.
4. Turn the unit o, then back on for the new RAID setting to take aect.
5. Re-initialize the drive.
Initialize G-RAID MIRROR for macOS
G-RAID MIRROR was factory-formatted for use or "Initialized" for macOS.
You can re-initialize to quickly erase the contents of the drive. Here are
the steps.
Caution: Initializing or Re-Initializing a device will erase all data on the device. Do not
continue if you wish to retain your information.
Note: Safely disconnect and remove any PRO-BLADE SSD mag from the PRO-BLADE SSD
mag slot before beginning this process.
1. First, open the Disk Utility program located on your hard drive under
Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility. The window below will appear. Your
G-RAID MIRROR will be displayed in the left-hand column.
2. Select the G-RAID MIRROR by clicking its drive icon in the left-side
column. Information about the device will be displayed at the bottom
of the window.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
9

3. Select the Erase tab to view the formatting options. By default, the
product is formatted as APFS.
4. Choose the Format option that you prefer.
5. Click the Erase button in the lower right corner of the window. A
dialog box will appear asking if you want to erase the G-RAID MIRROR
partition.
6. Click on the Erase button to continue. A progress bar in the lower right
corner of the window will show the progress of the disk’s reformatting.
7. After the device is re-initialized, you should automatically see the Time
Machine dialog box.
▪Click the Use as Backup Disk button if you want to use the drive with
Time Machine.
▪Click the Don't Use or Decide Later button if you do not want to use
Time Machine at this point.
8. This should complete the initialization process, and the G-RAID
MIRROR should now be erased.
Reformatting the G-RAID MIRROR
G-RAID MIRROR is set up at the factory for use with macOS systems but
can be reformatted for use with Windows 10 and higher.
Caution: Reformatting the device will erase all of its contents. If you have saved files on the device,
back them up to another file storage location before reformatting it.
Note: Safely disconnect and remove any PRO-BLADE SSD mag from the PRO-BLADE SSD mag slot
before beginning this process.
For instructions on formatting your device for Windows, please visit
SanDisk Professional Support, and review Answser ID 30566.
INSERTING A PRO-BLADE SSD MAG
To insert a PRO-BLADE SSD Mag (sold separately) into a compatible
device, make sure the notched corners on both devices are aligned with
each other.
To insert a PRO-BLADE SSD Mag into the G-RAID MIRROR, follow these
steps.
1. Align the PRO-BLADE SSD Mag to a slot on the G-RAID MIRROR.
2. Slide the PRO-BLADE SSD Mag into the slot until firmly seated.
PRO-BLADE SSD MAG LED BEHAVIOR
The following table describes the various device LED behaviors for the
PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slot when a PRO-BLADE SSD Mag is inserted into a
G-RAID MIRROR.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
10

Table 5:
LED Behavior Status Description
On Power On PRO-BLADE SSD Mag is
inserted into the slot and G-
RAID MIRROR is powered on
and connected to host.
Off Power Off PRO-BLADE SSD Mag is not
inserted in the slot.
Blinking White Data Transfer Data transfer to or from the
PRO-BLADE SSD Mag.
Blinking White →Off Overheating PRO-BLADE SSD Mag is
connected to the G-RAID
MIRROR but operating above
recommended temperatures.
SAFELY DISCONNECTING THE DEVICE
A great feature of G-RAID MIRROR is its ability to be connected and
disconnected while your computer is running. The macOS and Windows
operating systems have a means for safely disconnecting and removing
the device without turning off the system:
▪macOS—Users running macOS can simply drag the device icon to the Trash
before disconnecting it.
▪Windows—Windows has a Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon in the
system tray which, when used, ensures that all data is saved to the device and is
also flushed from system cache before disconnecting the device.
Caution: Do not disconnect the device while it is transferring data. Disconnecting the G-RAID
MIRROR from the computer during data transfer may damage the device or cause data loss.
DRIVE REPLACEMENT
Below are the steps for a drive replacement and for a RAID 1 rebuild.
Table 6:
Note:
▪For a RAID 0 setup, when a drive fails, all of the data is lost. A new RAID 0 can be created
with the replacement drive, but the previous data is lost.
▪For JBOD, when a drive fails, only in-tact volumes on the drive that has not failed retain
their data.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
11

Table 7:
Warning! For the RAID 1 rebuild process:
▪G-RAID MIRROR must be turned on and plugged into the computer during the entire
rebuild process.
▪Sleep settings on the computer must be turned off.
▪Do not change or add new files to the G-RAID MIRROR device during the rebuild process.
Drive Replacement
G-RAID MIRROR drive replacement.
1. Open and remove the front cover on the G-RAID MIRROR by pressing on the
raised 3-dot locations highlighted in illustration 3.1
2. With the G-RAID MIRROR device powered on, use the RAID LED lights on the
right-hand side of the drive trays highlighted in illustration 3.2 to determine
which drive has failed.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
12

a. A failed drive is indicated by a solid red LED status. A good drive is indicated
by a solid blue LED status.
3. Remove the drive tray with the Red LED status by: (see Illustration 3.3)
a. Pushing in the lever on the right-hand side of the drive tray, just above the
RAID LED light.
b. Pulling on the center handle of the drive tray.
4. Attached the drive tray to the replacement drive, making sure to carefully align
the four mounting points on the drive with the four mounting receivers on the
drive tray.
5. Insert the newly assembled drive tray and drive into the G-RAID MIRROR.
6. The hardware replacement process is now complete.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
13

RAID 1 Rebuild
After following the steps in the Drive Replacement process, continue here for
rebuilding the RAID 1 array.
1. When the replacement drive is first inserted into the G-RAID MIRROR, the
replacement drive RAID LED status may be red. However, shortly after this, the
rebuild process should automatically begin with the drive RAID LED status on
both drive trays blinking purple, or what may look like alternating red and blue
blinks.
2. The rebuild of the previous RAID 1 array will automatically begin.
a. The RAID 1 rebuild process will take approximately 2 hours per terabyte to
complete.
3. Once the RAID 1 rebuild is complete, the RAID LED lights will be blue.
Main Activities
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
14

4COMPLIANCE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION
LIMITED WARRANTY - EXCEPT AUSTRALIA
Warranty Information
This SanDisk Professional device is covered by a 5-year limited warranty
(or 5-year warranty in regions not recognizing “limited”) from the date
of purchase, subject to the applicable warranty terms and conditions, as
defined in www.sandisk.com/wug.
How to Make a Warranty Claim
Please go to www.sandiskprofessional.com and select “support” for more
information on making a warranty claim (SanDisk Professional Support
Page).
If it is determined that your product may be defective, you will receive an
RMA (Return Material Authorization) and product return instructions. You
are responsible for any expenses associated with a claim under SanDisk
Professional’s Limited Warranty.
You must send your product in a secure, prepaid package, to the address
provided with your RMA number. Proof of purchase is required for all
warranty claims.
LIMITED WARRANTY - AUSTRALIA
Warranty Information
SanDisk Professional warrants to the end user, that this product, excluding
content and or software supplied with or on the product, will be free from
material defects in manufacture, will conform to SanDisk Professional’s
published product specifications and be fit for normal use for a period of
5 years from the date of purchase, provided that the product is legally
placed on the market.
When making a claim under this Limited Warranty, SanDisk Professional
may at its option repair this product or provide you with an equivalent
product; and if unable to repair or replace the product, will refund the
purchase price. The full terms of SanDisk Professional’s warranty and
warranty period are available at: www.sandisk.com/wug.
Warrantor Details
Western Digital Technologies, Inc., 951 SanDisk Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035,
U.S.A.
Tel: [phone] (US local toll free) or 1 [phone] (US)
Compliance and Warranty Information
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
15

How to make a warranty claim:
Before you return the product you must first obtain a Return Material
Authorization (RMA) number. Please either:
1. Contact SanDisk Professional at 1 800 262 504 (M-F | 9 am
– 6 pm New South Wales Time) or email SanDisk Professional
([email protected]) and provide proof of purchase
(showing date and place of purchase and name of the reseller) and
product name, type and number; or
2. Contact the dealer from whom you originally purchased the product.
Please go to www.sandiskprofessional.com/support for more information
on making a warranty claim (SanDisk Professional Support Page).
If it is determined that your product may be defective, you will receive an
RMA number and product return instructions. You are responsible for any
expenses associated with a claim under SanDisk Professional’s Limited
Warranty. You must send your product in a secure, prepaid package,
to the address provided with your RMA number. Proof of purchase is
required for all warranty claims.
Australian consumers only:
Notwithstanding the terms of this Limited Warranty, SanDisk Professional’s
products come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the
Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund
for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably
foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the products
repaired or replaced if the products fail to be of acceptable quality and
the failure does not amount to a major failure.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Regulatory Compliance - FCC
FCC CLASS B INFORMATION
NOTE: This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the device off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
▪Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
▪Increase the separation between the device and receiver.
Compliance and Warranty Information
SanDisk Professional
User Manual
16