FireWire DriveDock+

WiebeTech has announced enhancements to its FireWire DriveDock, which allows bare 3.5" IDE and 2.5" notebook drives to mount to hosts via FireWire or USB2 ports. The new ($150 each) add numerous features over the standard versions, according to James Wiebe, CEO of WiebeTech. "For instance, LED indicators give a visual indication when a FireWire or USB host are attached to the dock. This simple feature is immensely valuable when troubleshooting a drive (or a host computer). Approximately a dozen new features have been added to these DriveDocks so that they will be the very best utility docking devices ever used by our customer base."

Typical users for FireWire DriveDock+ and Notebook DriveDock+ include IT personnel and technicians, multimedia developers, forensic investigators and all users desiring easily swapped media, according to WiebeTech.

Features

Dual FireWire Ports: Allows daisy chaining

USB 2.0 Port: Allows attachment of USB hosts

+12V DC Power In: Allows powering using standard wall bricks

Disk Drive Power In: Allows powering off of standard 4 pin drive power connectors

+12V Power Input LED: Identifies valid power input source on +12V input jack

Disk Drive Power In LED: Identifies valid power input source on Disk Drive power input socket

+5V, +12V LEDs: Verifies that power output is operational

On / Off Switch: Allows Power Up / Down

FireWire Host Detection LED: Identifies valid FireWire host attachment

USB Host Detection LED: Identifies USB attachment

FireWire / USB arbitration: Unit still works if attached to two hosts (USB dominates)

IDE Cable Connector: Supports attachment to drives inside of computers; also supports attachment of Master and Slave drives

Oxford 911 bridge chip: High Performance and best compatibility

Aluminum case: Briefcase tough; excellent heat dissipation Small size: Fits in a pocket

Bus Powering: (Notebook Version Only) Allows operation of 2.5 inch drives via FireWire bus

Rigid Baseplate (Notebook Version Only) Allows easy alignment and attachment of 2.5 inch drives

by MacNN Staff