Imagine your computer needs lightning-fast access to huge amounts of data, but you don’t want the complexity or cost of a big network storage system. How do you connect storage drives directly to a single server or workstation for maximum speed and simplicity? That’s where Direct Attached Storage, or DAS, steps in. DAS is the workhorse of local data access, offering incredible performance right where you need it.
Choosing the right DAS can feel like a maze. Do you need SAS, SATA, or NVMe? How many drive bays are enough? Making the wrong choice leads to bottlenecks, wasted money, or not enough space later on. Many people wrestle with balancing speed, capacity, and budget when setting up local storage solutions.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain what DAS is, how it works, and the key factors you must consider before buying. You will learn to pick the perfect DAS configuration for your needs, whether you are editing video, running a demanding database, or just need fast local backups.
Let’s dive into the essentials of Direct Attached Storage and find the best setup for your system.
Top Direct Attached Storage Recommendations
No. 1
TERRAMASTER D4-320 External Hard Drive Enclosure - 4bay USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps Type-C USB Storage Hot Swappable Plug and Play (Diskless)
- High-Speed Data Transmission: The D4-320 hard drive enclosure (a DAS, NOT a NAS) utilizes the USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol, achieving high-speed data transmission of up to 10Gbps. When equipped with four hard drives, the actual read/write speed can reach up to 1,016 MB/s (combined read/write with four SATA III HDDs of 8TB each). With just one SSD installed, the read speed effortlessly reaches 510 MB/s (SATA III 1TB SSD). The D4-320 supports a single HDD up to 30TB, with a total capacity of 120TB, and is compatible with various hard drives, including 3.5-inch SATA hard drives, 2.5-inch SATA hard drives, and 2.5-inch SATA SSDs.
- Plug-and-Play Compatibility: The D4-320 USB storage supports 4 individual disks (NO RAID function), and is plug-and-play, eliminating the need for drivers. It is highly compatible with MAC, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The USB Type-C interface supports various computer interfaces, including USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4.
- Hot Swappable Convenience: The D4-320 HDD enclosure supports hot swapping, allowing users to replace hard disks without powering off the device. This feature enhances convenience and efficiency in data transfer processes.
- Tool-Free Hard Drive Management: Featuring a tool-free hard drive tray design, the D4-320 external HDD enclosure enables easy installation and removal of hard drives without requiring additional tools. Furthermore, the D4-320 incorporates TerraMaster's unique Push-lock design, automatically securing the hard drive tray upon insertion, preventing the hard drive from falling out or disconnecting.
- Efficient Heat Dissipation and Quieter Operation: The D4-320 direct attached storage incorporates an intelligent temperature-controlled fan for optimal heat dissipation. Additionally, specialized sound-absorbing panels and vibration damping measures contribute to a quieter operation, with noise levels reduced by up to 50% compared to the previous generation. In standby mode, the noise level drops below 21 dB(A), creating a remarkably quiet user environment.
No. 2
QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with hardware RAID (Diskless)
- Direct-attached storage device via USB Type-C for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Use the TR-004 as external storage for NAS backup
- Expand the capacity of your QNAP NAS
- 4 x 3.5-inch SATA 3Gb/s (Diskless)
- Hardware RAID supports RAID 0, 1, 5, JBOD, and individual disks
No. 3
CENMATE 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure with Cooling Fan for 2.5/3.5" SATA HDD/SSD with USB A/C 3.0 Cable, Tool-Free HDD Enclosure, 3.5 Hard Drive Enclosure Support 80TB, Hot Swappable(NO RAID/NAS)
- 【Reliable External Storage System for Individuals and Business】The 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure supports 2.5/3.5 inches HDD and SSD, max capacity up to 80TB( 20TB for each hard drive), it's a ideal external hard drive enclosure for personal or enterprise using.Save space on your desktop or laptop.
- 【No heat】The 4 bay hard drive reader built in Aluminum-Alloy materials and 2 inch Fan.Maximize the security of your data.NOTE：Fan noise is around 40-50 decibels, not recommended if you are very sensitive to noise.
- 【Up to 5Gbps】This 4 bay enclosure equips with advanced chip and USB 3.0 output interface, Max 5Gbps under UASP control.Transfer 1G movie in 3-5 seconds with USB 3.0 Ports, which is 10 times faster than USB 2.0.
- 【Wide Compatibility, Plug and Play】Equipped with USB A/C 3.0 Cable Cable.Compatible with Windows 7 and above, Mac 9.1 and above, Linux.Plug and play, no fuss, no muss.
- 【Stable power supply】Equipped with DC 12V power adapter to provide stability for high-speed transmission.
No. 4
WAVLINK 4-Bay Hard Drive Enclosure for 3.5" and 2.5'' SATA HDD/SSD Featuring 10Gbps USB-C 3.2, Max 88TB Capacity, Built-in Temp-Controlled Cooling Fans, 4K HDMI Stunning Video Output, Aluminum Shell
- Ultimate Storage Versatility: Featuring four SATA 6Gbit/s bays, the enclosure supports both 3.5'' and 2.5'' hard drives and SSDs. Effortlessly expand your storage capacity up to 4x22TB, ensuring you have ample space for all your critical data, multimedia projects, and extensive game libraries. Note: For 2.5'' hard drives, additional 2.5'' to 3.5'' mounting brackets are required(Not included).
- Blazing Fast Data Transfer: Experience unparalleled data transfer speeds with the USB 3.2 Type-C port, capable of reaching up to 10Gbps. Seamlessly handle massive files and high-volume data transfers with exceptional efficiency and speed, perfect for both professional and personal use.
- Enhanced Connectivity and Display Options: Beyond storage, this docking station features an additional USB 3.2 Type-C port for connecting peripherals or daisy-chaining devices, along with an HDMI interface that supports up to 4K@60Hz resolution(under DP1.4). Create a seamless and efficient workspace with high-speed connectivity and stunning display capabilities. Note: Please ensure the USB-C port on your host supports video output and use the USB-C to C cable, or the HDMI port will not work.
- Premium Build Quality and Cooling: Constructed from high-quality aluminum, the docking station offers superior heat dissipation and robust structural integrity. Dual built-in fans automatically activate at 48°C, ensuring your drives remain cool and perform optimally, even during intensive tasks.
- Hot-Swappable Flexibility: Designed for convenience, each of the four bays comes with an independent ON/OFF power switch. Easily swap drives in and out without powering down the entire system, streamlining your workflow and enhancing productivity.
No. 5
TERRAMASTER D2-320 USB RAID Enclosure - USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type C 2Bay Direct Attached Storage Supports RAID 0, 1, Single, JBOD (Diskless)
- High Speed: The D2-320 hard drive enclosure (a DAS, NOT a NAS) adopts USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol for high-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps. With 2 hard drives in RAID 0, the read/write speed can reach up to 521MB/s (SATA III HDD 8TB x 2). With 2 SSD’s in RAID 0, the read speed can reach 1075MB/s (SATA III 1TB SSD x 2).
- Multiple RAIDs supported: The D2-320 is a hardware RAID enclosure and it supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD and SINGLE which can better satisfy various demands of users. In RAID 1, data will be in a mirror backup. When there is a damaged hard drive, you can directly replace the hard drive, and the data will be recovered automatically. This provides an absolute security for the data.
- Super-large Storage Space: The D2-320 USB storage enclosure can support up to two 3.5" and 2.5" SATA HDD, as well as 2.5" SATA SSD, with a maximum capacity of 22TB per drive, providing users with up to 44TB (22TB x 2) of storage space.
- Better Heat Dissipation: The D2-320 HDD enclosure has an intelligent temperature-controlled and low-noise fan that automatically adjusts its speed based on the temperature of the hard disk. This feature ensures that the hard disk operates at its best temperature and provides better heat dissipation.
- Convenient to swap hard drives: The D2-320 external hard drive enclosure features a tool-free hard drive tray design that allows for easy installation and removal of hard drives without the need for any tools. Furthermore, the D2-320 incorporates a brand new Push-lock unique design from TerraMaster, which automatically locks the hard drive tray when you insert the hard drive, preventing the hard drive from falling out or disconnecting.
No. 6
TERRAMASTER D8 Hybrid HDD NVMe Enclosure USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type C 8Bay USB Storage (Diskless)
- Innovative Storage: An innovation of an 8-bay hybrid HDD NVMe SSD enclosure. The D8 Hybrid can hold 4 SATA HDDs/SSDs and 4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs, with a capacity of 30TB a drive, and 8TB per M.2 SSD, providing users with up to 152TB (30TB x 4 + 8TB x 4) of storage space, combining the advantages of HDDs’ massive capacity and SSDs’ high-speed performance simultaneously! With TERRAMASTER's TPC Backupper software, you can easily schedule backups of important data to enhance data security.
- Ideal Solution for Hot and Cold Data: Tailor your storage setup to your data’s needs and usage patterns. Leverage the large capacity advantage of mechanical hard drives and the high-speed read/write performance of M.2 SSDs. Users have the flexibility to manually select where to store their data based on type and frequency of usage, optimizing storage efficiency and access speed. This approach ensures swift access to hot data stored on high-speed SSDs, while cold data is stored economically and efficiently on HDDs.
- 10Gbps Transfer Bandwidth: The D8 Hybrid hard drive enclosure adopts USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol for high-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps. With an SSD, the speed can reach up to 521MB/s, and using an NVMeM.2SSDs, it can reach up to 980MB/s.
- Convenient to swap hard drives: The M.2 SSD enclosure features a tool-free hard drive tray design that allows for easy installation and removal of hard drives without the need for any tools. Furthermore, this USB storage incorporates a brand new Push-Lock unique design from TERRAMASTER, which automatically locks the hard drive tray when you insert the hard drive, preventing the hard drive from falling out or disconnecting.
- Better Heat Dissipation: This HDD enclosure has an intelligent temperature-controlled and low-noise fan that automatically adjusts its speed based on the temperature of the hard disk. This feature ensures that the hard disk operates at its best temperature and provides better heat dissipation. The D8 Hybrid direct attached storage also features power on recovery, it automatically reboots after abnormal power loss while staying off after normal shutdown, enabling unattended operation.
No. 7
ORICO RAID 5 Bay HDD Enclosures USB 3.0 Push-Pull Mounting for 3.5-inch HDD, Max 110TB, External Direct Attached Storage 8 RAID Modes Supported 9858RU3
- [Flexible RAID Mode Management]: This 3.5-inch RAID HDD enclosure supports eight configuration modes, namely 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, JBOD, CLONE, and CLEAR. It enables dual data backup, enhances data security, and caters to the individualized needs of diverse users. Note: It is advisable to back up your data before mode switching. If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us
- [Supports 22TB Single Disk]: The 5-bay HDD enclosure accommodates 3.5-inch SATA disks, and the maximum storage capacity amounts to 110TB. It can effortlessly fulfill the storage requirements of large-scale engineering projects, high-resolution video footages, and other large-capacity data, eliminating concerns about capacity shortages
- [5Gbps Data Transfer]: The USB 3.0 interface of the external hard drive bay is compatible with SATA 6 Gbps, and the transfer speed reaches up to 235MB/s, facilitating effortless backup and transfer of files and videos, enabling centralized management and enhancing work efficiency
- [Effective Heat-dissipation]The 3.5-inch aluminum HDD case is outfitted with an 80mm silent cooling fan. Front and rear vents are designed, and the airflow effectively dissipates heat, ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the equipment over an extended period
- [Safety Protection]: The RAID enclosure features a bracket-free design for quick disassembly and assembly and possesses an independent safety locking mechanism to effectively prevent the unexpected removal or loss of the hard disk and guarantee the security of data
No. 8
QNAP TR-002-A-US 2 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with Hardware RAID (Diskless)
- Compatibility : Perfect for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Versatility : Use as external storage or for NAS backup
- Expansion : Easily increase your QNAP NAS capacity
- Flexibility : Supports up to 2 x 2.5"/3.5" SATA drives
- Advanced Options : Hardware RAID 0, 1, JBOD, and individual disk support
The Essential Buying Guide for Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
Direct Attached Storage, or DAS, connects storage directly to a single computer or server. Think of it as an external hard drive, but often much faster and more powerful. This guide helps you pick the perfect DAS for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for DAS, several features really matter. These points help you compare different models.
- Connectivity Speed: Look at the ports. Thunderbolt 3 or 4 offers amazing speed for video editing or large file transfers. USB 3.1 or 3.2 is good for general use. Faster connections mean less waiting.
- Drive Bays: How many hard drives (or SSDs) can fit inside? More bays mean more storage space. A two-bay unit is good for backups. A four-bay or eight-bay unit is better for big video projects.
- RAID Support: RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines multiple drives for speed or safety. RAID 1 mirrors data (safety). RAID 0 stripes data (speed). Make sure the DAS supports the RAID level you need.
- Drive Compatibility: Check if the unit takes 2.5-inch SSDs, 3.5-inch HDDs, or both. Some units let you swap drives easily without tools.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The physical construction of your DAS affects how long it lasts and how cool it runs.
- Enclosure Material: Aluminum enclosures feel solid. They also help dissipate heat better than plastic. Good heat management keeps your drives running smoothly.
- Drive Caddies: Look for sturdy drive caddies. These hold the actual hard drives in place. Tool-less caddies make upgrades simple.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag. These details make a big difference in daily use.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Active Cooling Fans: Fans keep the internal temperature down, which extends drive life. Quiet fans are always a bonus.
- Hardware RAID Controller: A dedicated chip inside the DAS handles the RAID tasks. This prevents your main computer from slowing down.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Cheap Power Supplies: A weak or generic power supply can cause crashes or data corruption over time. Stick to reputable brands.
- Poor Ventilation: If the case has very few holes or vents, the drives will overheat quickly under heavy load.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the DAS dictates what you should buy.
Who Needs DAS?
DAS is perfect when you need fast, local storage dedicated to one machine. You do not need a network connection for this storage.
- Creative Professionals: Video editors and photographers need the speed of Thunderbolt DAS to handle huge files smoothly without lag.
- Small Offices/Home Offices (SOHO): People needing fast local backups or shared project space connected directly to one powerful workstation use DAS often.
- Gamers: Gamers use DAS to store large game libraries, loading them quickly via fast USB or Thunderbolt connections.
Setup is usually plug-and-play, but configuring RAID settings might take a few extra steps. Good DAS systems offer simple software to manage the drives.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About DAS
Q: What is the main difference between DAS and NAS?
A: DAS connects directly to one computer using a cable (like USB or Thunderbolt). NAS (Network Attached Storage) connects to your router and is accessible by many devices over the network.
Q: Is DAS faster than connecting an external drive directly?
A: Often, yes. DAS units usually support faster protocols like Thunderbolt and often use multiple drives in RAID for combined speed, which is faster than a single USB drive.
Q: Do I need special software to use a DAS?
A: For basic use, no. You plug it in, and your computer sees it. If you set up RAID, you might use the DAS manufacturer’s utility software.
Q: Can I use old hard drives in a new DAS enclosure?
A: Usually, yes, if the size (like 3.5-inch) fits the bays. However, using older, slower drives might slow down the performance of the whole unit.
Q: Why should I use RAID 1 instead of just using two separate drives?
A: RAID 1 copies everything to both drives. If one drive fails, your data is safe on the other. Two separate drives offer no protection if one fails.
Q: Does the DAS enclosure need to be powered on all the time?
A: Yes. The enclosure must stay powered on for the computer to access the drives inside it.
Q: What is the best connection type for video editing?
A: Thunderbolt 3 or 4 provides the highest sustained transfer speeds, which professionals need for 4K or 8K video streams.
Q: Will a DAS unit work with both Mac and Windows computers?
A: Most modern DAS units work with both, but you must format the drives correctly for the system you use first. Some RAID setups might work better on one system than the other.
Q: Does DAS help protect my data from viruses?
A: DAS itself does not stop viruses. However, using it for a separate backup copy (like RAID 1) protects your data if your main computer gets infected.
Q: How loud are DAS units?
A: Units with many fans or older mechanical hard drives can be noisy. Look for “fanless” designs or units specifically rated for low noise if you keep it near your desk.