Welcome to the User Manual for the LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt™1) 2. The LaCie 8big is a rackmount direct-attached storage, or DAS. Connect it to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology for transfer rates that reach up to 20Gb/s. LaCie has constructed the LaCie 8big to handle bandwidth-intensive content such as 4K video and 3D graphics. This means that professional editors, photographers, and graphic artists get the highest performing storage for their most challenging projects.
Use this manual to guide you through the process of connecting your LaCie storage. For questions on installation, consult the Getting Help page.
An additional plastic bag with screws has been provided to fasten hard drives to the drive drawers. If you must secure hard drives to the hard drive trays, make certain to use the included screws.
Visit LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 software to download your free suite of utilities including:
The LaCie 8big Rack 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, a film editor is working with 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.
Featuring hardware RAID and redundant components, the LaCie 8big is a rarity in the world of high-end DAS. While most DAS must choose between high transfer rates or data protection, the LaCie 8big offers both extraordinary performance and built-in protection. Its powerful RAID engine saves your computer from expending critical processing resources on storage management, which is crucial for video and graphics applications that place heavy demands on computer CPUs. Further, hardware RAID solutions offer advanced RAID configurations to suit the needs of your working environment (see RAID).
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 features:
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 is a 1U-sized hard drive enclosure. It houses up to eight 3.5-inch hard drives in its front chassis.
Enclosures shipped with hard drives feature high-performance Seagate Desktop HDD.
In case of hard drive failure or, the need to expand storage capacity, each individual hard drive is hot-swappable and field replaceable. New or replacement hard drives must meet the following requirements:
For further information on compatible hard drives, visit LaCie technical support.
The LaCie 8big storage is managed by the software utility LaCie RAID Manager. See Software.
Hard drives | Weight |
---|---|
0 | 15 Kg / 33 lbs |
4 | 18 Kg / 40 lbs |
8 | 20 Kg / 44 lbs |
Ambient environment | Temperature range |
---|---|
Standard (operating) | +5ºC to +40ºC |
Storage (non-operating) | -20ºC to +60ºC |
Environment | Humidity range |
---|---|
Standard (operating) | 10% to 60% non-condensing |
Storage (non-operating) | 5% to 85% non-condensing |
Power supply: 100-240V; 50/60Hz; 250W
State | Noise (dBA) |
---|---|
Idle | 50 @ 1 m |
Operational | 53 @ 1 m |
Operational max | 69 @ 1 m |
For details on LED behavior. See System LEDs.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 has two hard drive frames, each housing four 3.5-inch hard drives. Each frame has mounting locations for SATA connections.
The hard drive frames provide protection from thermal conduction, radio frequency, and electro-magnetic induction.
The LaCie 8big features an alarm that will sound when the the enclosure experiences errors:
The alarm also works in tandem with the identification buttons on the front and rear of the device as well as the identification button in LaCie RAID Manager.
Push the Mute button to turn off the sound for the alarm.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 LEDs provide information on the system status. Review the illustrations below for the LED locations on the chassis. See System Overview for further details on each LED.
The list of colors below will help you identify the general status of your LaCie 8big.
Color | State |
---|---|
Solid blue | Ready |
Slow blinking blue | Idle mode |
Fast blinking blue | Startup and shutdown |
Blinking red and blue | RAID synchronization |
Blinking red | Warning |
Solid red | Error |
The status and hard drive LEDs work together to provide up-to-date details on your LaCie 8big’s health.
Status LED | Hard drive LEDs | State |
---|---|---|
Fast blinking blue | Blinking blue | Startup and shutdown |
Slow blinking blue | Off | Hard drives have spun down and the Thunderbolt ports are in idle mode, allowing for daisy chain |
Solid blue | Solid blue | The DAS is ready. |
Solid blue | Blinking blue for working hard drives | The hard drives are being accessed (read/write). |
Blinking blue/red | Blinking blue/red | RAID synchronizing |
Blinking red | Solid red for non-functional hard drives | RAID is degraded. Data remains intact but the array is no longer protected should another hard drive fail. |
Blinking red | Blinking red on a hard drive | Hard drive warning. A hard drive may be experiencing errors or, it is about to fail. |
Solid red | Solid red for a non-functional or failed hard drive | One or more hard drives have failed and the RAID is broken. Data is lost. |
Blinking red | Blue | Temperature alert; a power supply is failing |
Solid red | Blue | Temperature is critical. A critical state is accompanied by an audible alert. |
Solid red | Solid or blinking blue | One or more fans are not spinning. |
Behavior | State |
---|---|
Solid blue on the Thunderbolt 2 host LED | The Thunderbolt 2 port is connected to a computer. |
Solid blue on the Thunderbolt 2 daisy chain LED | The LaCie 8big is connected to a daisy chain of Thunderbolt devices and/or displays. |
Front Identification LED Behavior | Rear Identification LED Behavior | State |
---|---|---|
Blinking amber | Blinking amber | An identification button has been pushed (front or rear). |
Off | The identification feature is off. |
Behavior | State |
---|---|
Solid amber | The mute button has been pushed to turn off an audible alert or, to stop the unit from sounding an audible alert. |
Off | The mute feature is off. |
Behavior | State |
---|---|
Solid blue | The hard drives are ready. |
Blinking blue | The hard drives are being accessed (read/write). |
Blinking blue/red | RAID synchronizing or firmware update. |
Blinking red on a single hard drive | Warning that the hard drive may be failing. |
Blinking red on multiple hard drives | Warning that the RAID may be failing. |
Solid red on a single hard drive | The hard drive has failed. |
Solid red on multiple hard drives | The RAID has failed. |
Off on hard drive slots within the chassis | A hard drive has not been plugged into the slot's SATA connection or it is not receiving power. |
Behavior | State |
---|---|
Solid blue | The fan is working. |
Solid red | The fan has failed. |
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 is shipped with the following installation components:
An additional plastic bag with screws has been provided to fasten hard drives to the hard drive drawers. If you must secure hard drives to the hard drive trays, make certain to use the included screws.
The instructions below are also available on the Quick Start Guide included with the LaCie 8big.
If your LaCie 8big shipped with eight hard drives, you can skip this section and move to Step 1. If your LaCie 8big shipped with empty hard drive slots, consider the following:
The software utility LaCie RAID Manager gives you:
The LaCie 8big hard drives are preconfigured as RAID 5 and formatted for Mac (HFS+). Use LaCie RAID Manager to confirm the health of the hard drives or to change the RAID configuration:
Attach the cable management arm to the back of the rack rails.
See the LaCie RAID Manager User Manual for instructions on how to manage the hard drives.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 is shipped with the following installation components:
An additional plastic bag with screws has been provided to fasten hard drives to the hard drive drawers. If you must secure hard drives to the hard drive trays, make certain to use the included screws.
The instructions below are also available on the Quick Start Guide included with the LaCie 8big.
If your LaCie 8big shipped with eight hard drives, you can skip this section and move to Step 1. If your LaCie 8big shipped with empty hard drive slots, consider the following:
Attach the cable management arm to the back of the rack rails.
Perform the steps below on the PC that will use the 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2.
Since the hard drives are formatted for Mac (HFS+), all partitions must be erased, including the EFI partition. Windows Disk Management cannot erase the EFI partition so you must run Diskpart, a separate Windows utility. For additional information on Diskpart, see the web site.
Diskpart confirms that your hard drive is clean, meaning that the partitions have been deleted. The LaCie product is ready to be formatted for your operating system. See Step 7 - Format the hard drives for instructions.
You can customize the storage device by reformatting it with separate file system formats. Review the formats below.
exFAT: exFAT is an update of FAT32, allowing for compatibility with Windows and Mac. While FAT32 is limited in regard to volume and file sizes, exFAT allows for volumes up to 128PB and files up to 16EB. Similar to FAT32, exFAT is not optimized for performance with Windows devices.
NTFS: This acronym stands for New Technology File System, and it is the native file system for Windows 7 and Windows 8. NTFS offers several features that are not available with exFAT: file compression, encryption, permissions, auditing, and mirroring drives. The minimum supported volume size for NTFS is 10MB with a maximum of 2TB when initialized in the MBR format. For greater flexibility, use the GPT format with NTFS to remove limits on file and partition sizes. Volumes created in NTFS are native read and write for Windows 7 and Windows 8. Mac OS X 10.5 or higher can read and write to the NTFS partitions with the help of third-party drivers.
See the table below for a comparison of NTFS and exFAT.
Windows file system formats |
---|
Use NTFS if: |
…you will be using the storage device only with Windows 7 and Windows 8. NTFS performance is significantly better than exFAT. This file system is also compatible in read-only mode with Mac OS 10.3 and higher. |
Use exFAT if: |
…you will be using your storage device with both Windows and Mac computers. Performance is not optimized for Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2. |
The steps listed below help you to format the storage device.
LaCie RAID Manager is the software utility that manages the LaCie 8big’s storage.
For instructions, see the LaCie RAID Manager user manual.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 is available for use when:
When booting the LaCie 8big, certain LEDs on the chassis will blink blue for a short period before turning solid blue. See System LEDs for further information.
To prepare the hard drives, follow the directions below:
The hard drive LEDs blink blue while the hard drives spin up. You can start using the storage once the hard drive LEDs are solid blue.
Thunderbolt 2 and first generation Thunderbolt devices daisy-chained to the enclosure receive power when the LaCie 8big is in idle mode.
A short push is a manual depression on the power button that lasts no longer than one second. When the product is operating, a short push on the power button will spin down the hard drives within the enclosure. The Thunderbolt ports remain active and are available for daisy chaining. This is called idle mode. For example, a display that is daisy chained to the LaCie 8big will remain available to the computer following a short push.
Applying a short push during RAID synchronization spins the hard drives down. The RAID synchronization continues the next time you spin the hard drives up via a short push.
A long push is a manual depression on the power button that lasts more than four seconds. When the product is operating, a long push will cut the power from the LaCie 8big, forcing it to shut down immediately. A long push is not recommended as it may result in data loss. Therefore, it should only be used when troubleshooting a problem.
It is highly recommended that users maintain the Thunderbolt cable connection between the computer and the LaCie 8big during operation. Removing the cable during operation can have serious consequences, such as lost data.
Disconnecting the Thunderbolt cable during RAID synchronization cuts communication between the computer and the storage. While the synchronization will continue, there is a strong risk of losing data.
Use the enclosure's two Thunderbolt 2 technology ports for:
Thunderbolt 2 technology is an update of first generation 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 performance 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 LaCie 8big Rack 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.
You can also add the LaCie 8big to a daisy chain that includes first generation Thunderbolt technology devices. For example, your computer supports Thunderbolt 2 technology and you add the LaCie 8big 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 LaCie 8big is the first enclosure connected to the computer. You can lose the higher performance offered by Thunderbolt 2 technology if a Thunderbolt 2 device is daisy-chained behind first generation Thunderbolt devices and/or displays.
Connect the cable to one of the interface ports on the back of the LaCie 8big 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 and monitors. If you have another Thunderbolt 2 storage device, make certain to connect it to the LaCie 8big before adding first generation Thunderbolt technology devices and/or displays.
You can daisy chain Thunderbolt 2 technology and first generation Thunderbolt technology devices even when the hard drives within the LaCie 8big are spun down. To spin down the hard drives, apply a short push on the power button (see Operation). The status LED blinks slowly, indicating that the LaCie 8big is in idle mode.
The storage for the LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 is managed by LaCie RAID Manager. Use LaCie RAID Manager to:
See the LaCie RAID Manager User Manual for instructions on how to configure the LaCie 8big storage.
The information below provides a basic guide to the RAID modes available to the LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2. Note that the levels of performance and protection differ based upon the number of drives in a volume. For instructions on how to configure RAID, see the LaCie RAID Manager User Manual.
The level of RAID available to a volume is contingent upon the amount of hard drives. For example, a volume with four hard drives supports all levels of RAID except for RAID 1, which is not compatible with volumes greater than two hard drives. RAID 0 appears to be the best choice for a volume with four hard drives since it offers 100% storage capacity and the best performance. However, RAID 0 does not provide data protection in case of drive failure. Further, its performance is not much greater than RAID 5, which includes data protection in case one drive should fail.
RAID 6 and, in unique cases, RAID 10, can provide data protection in the event that two drives fail.
Review the summaries of each RAID before selecting the configuration for the LaCie 8big storage.
RAID mode | Minimum hard drives |
---|---|
RAID 0 | 2 |
RAID 1 | 2 |
RAID 5 | 3 |
RAID 6 | 4 |
RAID 10 | 4 |
RAID 0 is the fastest RAID mode since it writes data across all of the volume's hard drives. Further, the capacities of each hard drive are added together for optimal data storage. However, RAID 0 lacks a very important feature: data protection. If one hard drive fails, all data becomes inaccessible. A recommended option is RAID 5, which offers comparable performance and data protection in case a single drive fails.
RAID 1 provides enhanced data security since all data is written to each hard drive in the volume. If a single hard drive fails, data remains available on the other hard drive in the volume. However, due to the time it takes to write data multiple times, performance is reduced. Additionally, RAID 1 will cut hard drive capacity by 50% or more since each bit of data is stored on all the hard drives in the volume.
RAID 5 writes data across all hard drives in the volume and a parity block for each data block. If one physical hard drive fails, the data from the failed hard drive can be rebuilt onto a replacement hard drive. While the files stored on a RAID 5 volume remain intact should one hard drive fail, data can be lost if a second hard drive fails before the RAID is rebuilt with the replacement hard drive.
A minimum of three hard drives is required to create a RAID 5 volume.
RAID 5 offers comparable performance to RAID 0 with the advantage of protecting data. Additionally, you still have 75% of the storage capacity of a RAID 0 array (based upon total available hard drives and storage capacities).
RAID 6 writes data across all hard drives in the volume and two parity blocks for each data block. If one physical hard drive fails, the data from the failed hard drive can be rebuilt onto a replacement hard drive. With two parity blocks per data block, RAID 6 supports up to two hard drive failures with no data loss.
RAID 6 synchronizing from a failed hard drive is slower than RAID 5 due to the use of double parity. However, it is far less critical due to its double-disk security.
A minimum of four hard drives is required to create a RAID 6 volume. RAID 6 offers very good data protection with a slight loss in performance compared to RAID 5.
RAID 10 combines the protection of RAID 1 with the performance of RAID 0. Using four hard drive as an example, RAID 10 creates two RAID 1 segments, and then combines them into a RAID 0 stripe. With eight hard drive, the RAID 0 stripe will include four RAID 1 segments. Such configurations offer exceptional data protection, allowing for two hard drive to fail across two RAID 1 segments. Additionally, RAID 10 writes data at the file level and, due to the RAID 0 stripe, gives users higher performance when managing greater amounts of smaller files. This means a more generous input output per second for data, referred to as IOPS.
RAID 10 is a great choice for database managers that need to read and write a multitude of smaller files across the volume's hard drives. The impressive IOPS and data protection offered by RAID 10 gives database managers impressive reliability both in keeping files safe and rapid access.
A RAID+Spare volume gives you a “hot-spare” that is ready to synchronize data immediately should a hard drive fail. If a hard drive in the volume fails, the data starts to synchronize with the spare. The clear advantage for a RAID volume with a spare is that you do not have to wait for a replacement hard drive. However, the spare cannot be used as storage during standard operation since its sole task is to take over should a hard drive fail.
You can replace the failed hard drive once synchronization is complete and use it as the new hot spare.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 has a front chassis and rear chassis, each with its own cover. Review the details below for hardware module locations and, where applicable, replacement.
For optimal power management, the power load for the LaCie 8big can be shared between the two PSU. If one should fail, all power will automatically run from the active PSU, guaranteeing continuous operation. To help extend the lifetime of your hardware, make certain to replace a failed PSU as soon as possible.
Follow the instructions below to replace a PSU:
Make certain that the LaCie 8big is not being accessing before following the steps below.
If a failed hard drive is under warranty, make certain to contact LaCie Technical Support to receive a replacement hard drive (see Getting Help for contact information). When adding or replacing hard drives, consider using Seagate Desktop HDD that are optimized for use with your LaCie 8big. For further information on compatible hard drives, visit LaCie Technical Support.
When replacing hard drives that are members of an active RAID configuration, the hard drive LEDs will blink red and blue indicating that the RAID is synchronizing data. You can continue to use the LaCie 8big storage but performance will be reduced until the synchronization is complete.
The components in the rear chassis are NOT hot-swappable and are NOT serviceable at any location outside of LaCie-approved service centers. Removing the rear cover without permission from LaCie technical support will void your product’s warranty. Additionally, removing, replacing, or changing any part in the rear chassis or, performing any action that involves the components in the rear chassis, will void the product’s warranty. If you are experiencing hardware errors or failure, contact LaCie technical support for assistance (see Getting Help for contact information).
If you are having problems with your LaCie product, consult the table below for a list of available resources.
Order | Source | Description | Location |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Quick Install Guide | Concise steps to follow for getting your product up and running | Either a printed leaflet or accessory box and included in the product box, or download PDF from the product page |
2 | Support Pages | Includes interactive troubleshooting topics for most common problems | www.lacie.com/support/, select your product, then click the “Troubleshooting” tab |
3 | User Manual | Includes common troubleshooting topics | See Troubleshooting Topics below |
4 | Customer Support | Create an account on lacie.com, register your product, and fill out a support ticket | Create an account here: www.lacie.com/us/mystuff/login.htm?logout&rtn=mystuff |
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 will not turn on.
Q: Can you confirm that the LaCie 8big is properly connected?
A: Make certain:
Q: Is there a problem with one or both power supply units?
A: Your LaCie 8big has redundant power supplies. Each power supply provides sufficient power to keep the LaCie 8big running in case the other one fails. Contact LaCie technical support if you believe that one or both power supplies have failed. In the rare case in which both power supplies fail at the same time, you may be asked to send the enclosure to LaCie for review.
The LaCie 8big turns off when I daisy chain a device.
A: The device may not be compatible with Thunderbolt products. Unplug any devices you have connected and reboot the product.
The LaCie 8big is unresponsive.
Q: Have you tried to restart the system?
A: Eject the volume from the computer and shut down the LaCie 8big by applying a short push on the front button. If nothing happens after a few minutes, you can force the LaCie 8big to turn off by applying a long push (more than four seconds), then release it. Once off, restart the product by pushing and immediately releasing the front button.
Note that a long push is not recommended under standard operating conditions as it may result in data loss. Once the status LED stops blinking blue, check your computer for proper connection to the LaCie 8big volumes.
The LaCie 8big is overheating.
Q: Is the ambient temperature too high? Is the air output blocked? Are several fans malfunctioning?
A: If the ambient temperature is below 40˚C and the ventilation is cleared, you may have one or several malfunctioning fans. Contact LaCie technical support.
I am not certain if the LaCie 8big firmware should be updated.
Q: Where can I check the firmware version?
A: Check LaCie RAID Manager for the firmware version.
Q: How do I know if the firmware is the latest version?
A: Go to the LaCie technical support for the latest information on the product.
Q: Did you install LaCie RAID Manager?
A: The installer for LaCie RAID Manager includes a driver to recognize and mount the 8big storage.
A: Disconnect other Thunderbolt devices and see if the LaCie 8big volume appears on the desktop.
Q: Does the icon/Do the icons for the LaCie 8big volume(s) appear on the desktop?
A: The hard drive icon(s) for the storage should appear on your desktop. Confirm that the Finder preference for displaying external hard drives on the desktop is selected at Finder > Preferences > General.
A: The connection type for Thunderbolt 2 technology and first generation Thunderbolt technology is the Mini DisplayPort. While older Macintosh computers include Mini DisplayPorts, they are only used to connect one or more monitors. Legacy Macs with Mini DisplayPorts do not support Thunderbolt 2 technology devices such as the LaCie 8big.
Q: Did you follow the correct installation steps?
A: Review the installation steps (Setting Up). Make certain that both ends of the Thunderbolt cable are firmly connected to the ports and that the device is receiving power via the included power supply.
A: Thunderbolt 2 storage requires cables specifically constructed for Thunderbolt technology. Use the cable that was shipped with your device.
A: The enclosure must also receive power via the included power supply. See Setting Up.
Q: Are both ends of the Thunderbolt technology cable securely attached?
A:
Q: Did you get an "Error -50" message while copying to the storage?
A: When copying files or folders from a computer to a FAT 32 volume, certain characters cannot be copied. These characters include, but are not limited to:
? < > / \ :
Since it does not offer optimal performance, LaCie does not recommend using the FAT 32 file system with Thunderbolt 2 technology storage.
A: Ignore this message. The hard drive will remount to the desktop.
Q: I just threw a lot of files into the Trash. Why don't I see more space to copy new files?
A: Hard drive space will be reclaimed once files are erased. To remove the files forever:
Q: Does your computer support Thunderbolt 2?
A: The LaCie 8big must be connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology to attain Thunderbolt 2 technology transfer rates.
Q: Did you daisy chain the LaCie 8big with first generation Thunderbolt technology devices?
A: Thunderbolt 2 technology devices can share the same daisy chain with first generation Thunderbolt technology devices. However, the LaCie 8big can only reach Thunderbolt 2 transfer rates if it is connected directly to the computer with the other devices daisy-chained behind it. If your computer supports Thunderbolt 2 technology, make certain that the LaCie 8big is the first device in the daisy chain.
Q: Did you daisy chain the LaCie 8big behind a display?
A: Thunderbolt 2 technology devices can share the same daisy chain as a display. However, the LaCie 8big can only reach Thunderbolt 2 transfer rates if it is connected directly to the computer with the other devices daisy-chained behind it. If your computer supports Thunderbolt 2 technology, make certain that the LaCie 8big is the first device in the daisy chain.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 must run with all of its parts and units in place. In order to comply with applicable safety, emission, and thermal requirements, no covers should be removed during normal operation. All parts must be installed according to the instructions (see Setting Up).
Permanently unplug the unit if you think that it has become damaged in any way.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 features three parts that are hot-swappable:
The DAS can remain powered on when replacing a hot-swappable part. For all other types of maintenance and physical troubleshooting, shut down and disconnect power from the DAS. Only qualified technical service personnel should be allowed to maintain the DAS.
Shut down and unplug the unit before moving it.
The LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 must be operated from a minimum of one power supply unit. The input voltage range for a single power supply is 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 250W.
Make sure that the socket outlets are located near the equipment and are easily accessible.
Before removal/replacement of a power supply, disconnect the power supply cable for complete isolation.
Hot swapping a power supply is not supported on units that feature a single power supply or units with only one functional power supply.
A safe electrical ground connection must be provided to the power cord. Check the grounding of the enclosure before applying power.
Provide a suitable power source with electrical overload protection to meet the requirements laid down in the technical specification.
Never expose your device to rain, or use it near water, or in damp or wet conditions. Never place objects containing liquids on the enclosure, as they may spill into its openings. Doing so increases the risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, fire, or personal injury.
Always unplug the device from the electrical outlet if there is a risk of lightning or if it will be unused for an extended period of time. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, or fire.
Hot surfaces (heat sinks) are exposed when the enclosure top cover is removed. Disconnect power and allow the enclosure to cool before working inside the system.
When pulled out from the rack, the enclosure must not be used as a shelf to support any other object.
WARNING: Removing the enclosure cover when the DAS is powered on will reveal moving parts, specifically the rotating fan blades. You must remain vigilant when opening the enclosure cover. Above all, show extreme caution with the fans and other moving parts within the LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2.
The rack cabinet must be capable of supporting the total weight of the installed enclosure(s) and the design should incorporate stabilizing features suitable to prevent the cabinet from tipping or being pushed over during installation or in normal use.
When loading a rack cabinet with the units, fill from the bottom up and empty it from the top down.
Do not add any load onto the LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 when it is mounted on its rack rails and installed on its slide. Doing so can bend the rails and prevent the slide from proper operation.
The rack cabinet design should take into consideration the maximum operating ambient temperature for the unit, which is 40°C. Should the environment remain above 40°C for an extended period of time, there is a strong risk that the enclosure will automatically spin down the hard drives and enter idle mode. This is a safety precaution to protect the hard drives.
The rack cabinet should have a safe electrical distribution system. It must provide overcurrent protection for the unit and must not be overloaded by the total number of units installed in the rack. When addressing these concerns, consider the electrical power consumption rating shown on the product.
The electrical distribution system must provide a reliable ground for each unit and for the cabinet.
The power supply unit has a ground leakage current of 3.5mA. The design of the electrical distribution system must take into consideration the total ground leakage current from all the power supplies in all the units.
When configured, the cabinet must meet the safety requirements of IEC 60950-1 2nd edition.
The LaCie LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 enclosure is designed for installation into an industry standard 19-inch rack cabinet subject to the following requirements:
The top cover on the rear of the enclosure provides access to the the motherboard. Do not remove the top cover on the rear of the enclosure unless you are performing maintenance recommended by LaCie technical support. The unit must be turned off and allowed to cool down before removing the rear cover. Potential hazards include hot surfaces.
When placing the covers on the DAS, make certain that:
Observe all conventional ESD precautions when handling LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 internal components. Avoid contact with backplane components, module components, etc.
Hard drives are fragile and must be handled with care during removal/replacement.
Any loss, corruption, or destruction of data while using a LaCie hard drive or a LaCie hard drive system is the sole responsibility of the user, and under no circumstances will LaCie be held liable for the recovery or restoration of this data. To help prevent the loss of your data, LaCie highly recommends that you keep TWO copies of your data: one copy on your DAS; and, a second copy on one of the following:
Please read this page carefully in order to understand your warranty rights and responsibilities.
LaCie offers first-rate service and support through our generous three-tiered warranty policy. Our 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year policies include comprehensive, complimentary web-based resources, expert in-house technical support, and worldwide repair and/or replacement coverage. To benefit from this warranty, please contact LaCie Support at www.lacie.com/us/support where you can find online support and contact information. You may also contact representatives at the original point of purchase who will be able to help guide you.
Standard warranties vary depending on the product. To verify your product’s warranty status and to see which standard warranty is included with your product, type in your product’s serial number at www.lacie.com/us/support. If no warranty is listed under your product’s name, this means that the warranty has expired.
If you wish to extend your warranty coverage, you can purchase Silver, Gold, or Platinum Care or Advanced Exchange. For details, see www.lacie.com/warranties.
A standard LaCie limited warranty is included with all products. Please read the terms and conditions below.
LaCie (“LaCie”) warrants, to the original purchaser, that this equipment shall be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1), two (2), three (3), or five (5) years, depending on the model, from LaCie's date of original shipment when the equipment is used normally and is properly serviced when needed. If you discover a defect covered by the warranty set forth above, your sole and exclusive remedy will be for LaCie, in its sole discretion to (i) repair or replace the product at no charge to you; or, if a repaired unit or replacement product is not available, (ii) to refund the current market value of your product. You acknowledge and agree that replacement product, at the sole option of LaCie, may be a new product or a remanufactured product. In order to receive the remedy set forth above, you must return the product during the warranty period and include with each returned product (i) a copy of your original purchase invoice to verify your warranty; (ii) a Return Material Authorization number; (iii) your name, address and telephone number; (iv) a copy of the bill of sale bearing the appropriate LaCie serial numbers as proof of date of original retail purchase; and (v) a description of the problem. The customer must pay all transportation costs for a returned product. The product will need to be returned to LaCie within the country of original retail purchase. This warranty applies only to hardware products; LaCie software, media, and manuals are licensed and warranted pursuant to separate written agreement. This warranty does not apply if the product has been misused or has been damaged by accident, abuse, misuse, or misapplication; if it has been modified without permission of LaCie; or if any LaCie serial number has been removed or defaced. If a customer has purchased a LaCie Advance Care Option (ACO) to go with this equipment, the ACO shall be valid for three (3) years from activation.
EXCEPT FOR THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE, ALL PRODUCTS ARE SOLD “AS IS” AND LACIE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. WITHOUT FURTHER LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, DOES NOT WARRANT (1) THE PERFORMANCE OR RESULTS OBTAINED FROM USING THIS PRODUCT, (2) THAT THE PRODUCT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CUSTOMER'S PURPOSES, (3) THE MANUAL IS ERROR FREE, OR (4) THAT NO DATA WILL BE LOST WHILE USING THE PRODUCT. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE IS ASSUMED BY THE CUSTOMER. THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
This Limited Warranty applies only to hardware products manufactured by or for LaCie that can be identified by the “LaCie” trademark, trade name, or logo affixed to them. The Limited Warranty does not apply to any non-LaCie hardware products or any software, even if packaged or sold with LaCie hardware. Manufacturers, suppliers, or publishers, other than LaCie, may provide their own warranties to the end user purchaser, but LaCie, in so far as permitted by law, provides their products “as is”. Software distributed by LaCie with or without the LaCie brand name (including, but not limited to system software) is not covered under this Limited Warranty. Refer to the licensing agreement accompanying the software for details of your rights with respect to its use.
LaCie does not warrant that the operation of the product will be uninterrupted or error-free. LaCie is not responsible for damage arising from failure to follow instructions relating to the product's use. This warranty does not apply: (a) to consumable parts, unless damage has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (b) to cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents and broken plastic on ports; © to damage caused by use with non-LaCie products; (d) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, flood, fire, earthquake or other external causes; (e) to damage caused by operating the product outside the permitted or intended uses described by LaCie; (f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of LaCie or a LaCie Authorized Service Provider; (g) to a product or part that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of LaCie; or (h) if any LaCie serial number on the product has been removed or defaced.
No LaCie dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.
Any loss, corruption or destruction of data while using a LaCie drive is the sole responsibility of the user, and under no circumstances will LaCie be held liable for the recovery or restoration of this data. To help prevent the loss of your data, LaCie highly recommends that you keep TWO copies of your data; one copy on your external hard disk, for instance, and a second copy either on your internal hard disk, another external hard disk or some other form of removable storage media. LaCie offers a complete line of CD and DVD drives. If you would like more information on backup, please refer to our website.
LACIE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, DAMAGE TO OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY, AND ANY COSTS OF RECOVERING, REPROGRAMMING, OR REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH LACIE PRODUCTS EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state.
Your opening of your package, your use of the product, or your return of the enclosed Registration Card acknowledges that you have read and agree to the terms of this Agreement. You further agree that it is the complete and exclusive state of the agreement between us and supersedes any proposal or prior agreement, oral or written, and any other communications between us relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
Read carefully all information related to warranty and precautions of use of your new LaCie product in the user manual.
For products purchased in the United States, you may contact LaCie at 7555 Tech Center Drive, Tigard, Oregon 97223 USA. Email: sales@lacie.com. Website: www.lacie.com. Customer service: 503-844-4503.
On rare occasions, a newly purchased LaCie product may be delivered in non-working order. We are working to avoid these issues, but unfortunately, these situations may arise from time to time. Within the 15 calendar days of purchase, should you experience an issue with your new LaCie product, we ask you to return the product to the place where it was originally bought. You will be required to give a proof of purchase.
Please be sure to back up your data before returning your drive to LaCie for repair. LaCie cannot under any circumstances guarantee the integrity of data remaining on a returned drive. We make no provisions for data recovery and cannot be held liable for any data loss on drives or media returned to LaCie.
All products returned to LaCie must be securely packaged in their original box and shipped with postage prepaid, except for Products registered under the Advance Care Option.
Our goods 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 goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
Contact us:
LaCie Australia, 6/151 Beauchamp Rd, Matraville NSW 2036 AUSTRALIA
Phone: 02 8063 3711
Email: info.au@lacie.com
For fast technical support, create a support ticket after registering your product at www.lacie.com/au/register.
Copyright © 2024 LaCie. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of LaCie.
The material in this document is for information only and subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, LaCie assumes no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein. LaCie reserves the right to make changes or revisions in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without obligation to notify any person of such revisions and changes.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A 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 equipment 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 equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
The availability of some specific channels and/or operational frequency bands are country dependent and are firmware programmed at the factory to match the intended destination. The firmware setting is not accessible by the end user.
This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with your other household waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a designed collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office, your household waste disposal service, or the shop where you purchased the product.
Apple, Mac, Time Machine, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks mentioned in this manual are the property of their respective owners.
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
CAN ICES-3 (A)/NMB-3(A)
We, LaCie, solemnly declare that this product conforms to the following European standards: Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2004/108/EC); Low-Voltage Directive: 2006/95/EC