Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Questions about SATA and hot plugging.

[Dale]

Mark Knecht wrote:
> On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 10:05 AM, Dale<rdalek1967@×××××.com>  wrote:
>
>> Mark Knecht wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 7:29 AM, Volker Armin Hemmann
>>> <volkerarmin@××××××××××.com>    wrote:
>>> <SNIP>
>>>
>>>
>>>> again, the hardware to hotplug is built into every sata connector. What
>>>> is
>>>> left is the controller not getting confused and the driver.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Every SATA connector? External connectors yes. Internal connectors no.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> AHCI as a standard says yes to hoplugging. So as long as you use a AHCI
>>>> compliant sata controller you can hotplug.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Interested readers should be _VERY_ careful about listening to
>>> previous advice. The major difference between the internal and
>>> external SATA cables&    connectors, a ***particularly*** important part
>>> of hotplugging, is that the external connector ensures that ground is
>>> connected before the signals. This ensures that in the case of static
>>> electricity the drive becomes grounded to the computer which is done
>>> to eliminate ESD (electro static discharge) events which will damage
>>> either the drive or the controller. (Depending n which is charged.)
>>>
>>> If you are using an internal power supply and have drive power already
>>> attached when you hotplug an internal cable then likely you will be
>>> just fine.
>>>
>>> If, on the other hand, you have a SATA drive sitting on a bench using
>>> a separate power supply then hotplugging with an internal cable is not
>>> recommended.
>>>
>>> Hope this helps,
>>> Mark
>>>
>>>
>>>
> Hi Dale
>
>
>> I'm not saying that this is good advice but this is what my mobo manual
>> says.  If I have the BIOS set to AHCI, then all the ports are hot pluggable.
>>   That includes the internal ones.  My mobo design is about a year old so
>> this may not apply to older ones but that is what the manual says.  Just
>> because I am to chicken to try doesn't mean it doesn't work tho.  I'm to
>> chicken to use the one marked external too.
>>
>>
> Cool. As I said when I first replied to this thread that's not always
> the case. My Intel DH55HC has 6 SATA ports but only 2 are eSATA
> compatible.
>
> If you are hot plugging internal drives to internal connectors and
> they are hooked to the same power supply as your motherboard then it
> should be safe even using internal cables that fit the motherboard
> connectors. Note that those connectors aren't all that strong so you
> should be careful not to break one.
>
>
>> I moved my data drive over from the old rig last night.  I got out the
>> flashlight and magnifying glass and gave all the connectors a good looking
>> over.  They all have that L shape connector which is usually what external
>> connectors have.  That is according to what I have read anyway.  All the
>> connectors are the same on my mobo, both internal and external.
>>
>> It appears to me that with my mobo, there is no "internal" connectors.  They
>> are just all SATA and hot pluggable.
>>
>> Dale
>>
> Hold on there. SATA and eSATA connectors are definitely different. If
> your case came with a cable hooked to the eSATA connector then that
> cable is taking care of the difference already. Try plugging an
> internal SATA cable into the eSATA connector on your case. You'll find
> out pretty quickly that they don't work.
>
> A proper eSATA connector doesn't have the 'L'. It has small flanges
> that stick out to the sides. (Or mine do anyway!!)
>
> No reason to be scared of eSATA hotplugging. Works fine and it's
> designed to be robust.
> - Mark
>
>

That's the thing, ALL the SATA connectors are the same.  They are the 
same color, same shape and all.  They are all identical just turned in 
different ways for some reason.  If you want, you can look for 
yourself.  Here is a link to the mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128431

If you click on the image, it will load up a new page and you can zoom 
in and take a really close look.  As I said, this is a mobo that came 
out in about 2009 according to what I have read.  This may not work on 
old mobos that don't have this connector.

I would assume that since this connector is a eSATA type, that it is hot 
pluggable like the manual says.  After all, if it says it is in the 
manual, they have to stand behind it if someone plugs up the wrong thing.

I used plain SATA cables to hook all my drives up.  I don't have a eSATA 
cable that I know of.  I ordered a couple cables when I ordered my parts 
to build this rig and I have used them.  They plug into the mobo just 
fine.  Here is a link to it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816032

According to that page, it is hot pluggable but no mention of being a 
eSATA cable.

Dale

:-)  :-)