Carrier plate Icy Dock MB508SP-B

The ICY DOCK ToughArmor MB508SP-B is an 8-bay 2.5" drive cage that fits into two 5.25" optical drive bays and supports 2.5" SAS/SATA HDDs and SSDs with heights from 5mm to 15mm. Constructed from full metal and equipped with a user-adjustable 80mm cooling fan, it is designed for dense enterprise storage environments that require reliable, hot-swappable access to high-capacity and enterprise-grade drives. Connectivity is provided via two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) ports that carry all eight drives, reducing cable clutter and improving signal integrity compared to multiple individual SATA connections.

Advantages

The MB508SP-B provides high-density storage by packing eight full-height 2.5" drives into two 5.25" bays while maintaining full support for 15mm enterprise SAS and high-capacity SATA drives. Its full-metal chassis and trays meet ruggedized flammability requirements for industrial and medical environments, and the EZ slide mini trays are hot-swappable with internal connectors rated for up to 10,000 cycles. Dual Mini-SAS HD connectors simplify cabling and improve EMI resistance, and the adjustable 80mm fan with replaceable option offers active cooling to reduce the risk of overheating.

Suitable for

• Small form-factor servers and workstations requiring dense 2.5" storage
• Enterprise archival and backup systems using 15mm SAS drives
• Industrial, medical, and military systems needing ruggedized drive enclosures
• Systems that require hot-swap drive replacement and quick maintenance

Key specifications

• Drive bays: 8 x 2.5" (supports 5–15 mm height)
• Installation: Fits into 2 x 5.25" optical drive bays
• Host interface: 2 x Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) ports (connects all 8 drives)
• Material: Full metal chassis and trays
• Cooling: 80mm user-adjustable fan (high/low/off), fan is replaceable
• Hot-swap: EZ slide trays; internal SAS/SATA connectors rated for up to 10,000 cycles
• LED: Individual drive activity indicators and numbered ID labels
• Dimensions (manufacturer data): width 157.9 mm, depth 146 mm, height 84 mm
• Weight: approx. 1.46–1.79 kg (manufacturer/product data)
• Colour: Black

How to use

Install the MB508SP-B into two adjacent 5.25" front bays of your chassis and secure it according to your case manufacturer’s instructions. Slide each 2.5" HDD or SSD into the EZ slide mini trays and lock the tray using the eagle-hook latch. Connect the enclosure to your host controller using two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) cables that carry data for all eight drives, and connect SATA power cables with locking latches to the enclosure’s power inputs. Configure your RAID or storage controller in the host system as required, then power on the system. Drives can be exchanged while the system is running thanks to the hot-swap trays; follow proper OS and controller procedures when removing or inserting drives.

Recommendations

Use enterprise-grade SATA or SAS drives (including 15mm SAS models) for archival and backup workloads, monitor drive activity LEDs during maintenance, and set the fan to an appropriate speed based on drive temperatures. Replace the stock fan with a compatible 80mm model if quieter operation or higher airflow is required. Ensure Mini-SAS HD cables are properly latched and routed to minimize interference and to preserve signal integrity.