How to add 2nd SATA drive to Mini , not via USB or Firewire

[Lexicon]

With PC IDE cables that connect hard drives, it is easy to connect a second drive , but with the Mini, are there any ways OTHER than adding a USB or FIrewire connection HD.
I want to use the internal Mini HD for OS/Programs and the second drive for data only, but want to do it via a SATA connection.
I have read about the small Sata Cable that connects to the mini that others are using , but "as far as I know" it only connects one external HD without use of the internal Mini HD.

So, is there a cable that will allow me to piggyback a second drive? If so, where can I find it.
Thanks for a response

[JohnnyBoy]

[dungeon92]

[kaidomac]

This is an unexplored area of Mac Mini hacking. Some SATA ports support "multiplexing", which allows you to add more than one SATA drive on a single SATA port. Using a SATA port multiplier, you can add up to 15 SATA devices using a single port. The problem is that no one knows if the Mini has port multiplier functionality built it and it's somewhat expensive to test out. If you want to give it a shot, Addonics sells an OS X-compatible 5-port multiplier for $85:

http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/ad5sapm-e.asp

My problem with this solution is even if you get it to work, you don't have effective RAID using OS X software. OS X only offers RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD functionality in software. So you don't have the benefit of putting multiple disks in RAID 5 or RAID 6 for data security. If you're only going to be adding one more drive, then you're spending an extra $85+ for that single drive. Serpent and I are trying to hack the Mini PCI Express slot in the Mini for use with a RAID card - that way you can add multiple SATA drives and make sure that you have data security using a more effective RAID system for larger numbers of disks. No ETA or confirmation whether it will work or not, so don't pin your hopes on that hack either. Feel free to give the port multiplier a shot though, I'm interested to see if it would actually work

[JohnnyBoy]

[kaidomac]

Looks like Addonics just came out with a 2-port multiplier, a little cheaper at $55:

http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/ad2sahpmeu.asp

Multi-lane SATA is another option, but I'm not really sure how that kind of adapter would interface with a Mac Mini without a PCI Express hack. Read up here:

http://blog.irisink.com/?p=4

[kaidomac]

Hmm, poking around Addonic's site a little bit more. They have a Hardware Port Multiplier (HPM) that says it can work with any standard eSATA port. Much pricer at $119 though:

http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/ad5sahpm-e.asp

[kaidomac]

Nice eSATA haxie tut here:

http://www.erebos.net/articles/macmini_esata/macmini_esata.php

Bet that would be awesome with one of the MiniStack V3 enclosures sporting the eSATA connector:

http://newertech.com/products/ministackv3.php

[kbulava]

so has anyone tried one of these replicators with our minis yet?
_________________
Mac Mini 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, Pioneer DVR-K06 Superdrive, 2GB Crucial RAM, 200GB 7200rpm HD
iPhone 3G 16GB Black
LaCie 500GB Gigabit Ethernet Disk mini
Apple BT Keyboard/Mighty Mouse, iSight
Vizio 42" 1080p LCD HDTV

[cbergeron]

[cbergeron]

Also, here's a pic of my mini when I had a single Raptor 10k 3.5":


Here's a picture of the Newerstack 2 that I mounted the drive in...


I'll post more in the coming days... This is going to be ONE FAST MINI.



-CB

[kaidomac]

cbergeron, VERY nice work! I just got word over at Mac Rumors that someone got a quote on the Mini PCI adapter we need too (the company has been firewalling us so far), so that will open up another avenue for hacking the Mini. Thanks man!

Also, could you post a link to the specific adapter you purchased, and perhaps a link to where you purchased it? (if you didn't get it straight from Addonics)

[kbulava]

Definitely very nice setup cbgeron

[kbulava]

oh i gotcha, there were a few different models you posted, nevermind the last part....it would be nice to know if we can do it with the cheaper model.


So now I'm beginning to wonder if a SATA Blu Ray external burner is possible that wont burn up the firewire bandwidth. Using the replicator that worked earlier and a SATA to eSATA cable.
Enclosure:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817716048
Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106037

The only red flag that I see is the drive doesn't say anything about being compatible with Mac OS, but the enclosure does. Anyone care to comment on that?

I just think that would be pretty rad for around $600 and it wouldn't eat up the firewire bandwidth.

Of course to display the blu ray discs I'm sure I'd need a core 2 duo cpu upgrade and a 1080p display, but i'm still curious.
_________________
Mac Mini 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, Pioneer DVR-K06 Superdrive, 2GB Crucial RAM, 200GB 7200rpm HD
iPhone 3G 16GB Black
LaCie 500GB Gigabit Ethernet Disk mini
Apple BT Keyboard/Mighty Mouse, iSight
Vizio 42" 1080p LCD HDTV

[kaidomac]