---
title: "EP-0265"
source: /docs/EP-0265
markdown: /md/EP-0265.md
---
# EP-0265
## 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion for Raspberry Pi 5
**SKU: EP-0265** 
## Description
The 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion for Raspberry Pi 5 is a compact storage expansion board designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi 5. By utilizing the Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe interface, the board expands the system with 4 onboard SATA ports and 1 external eSATA port, allowing users to connect up to five storage devices simultaneously.
The 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion for Raspberry Pi 5 is ideal for building:
- Home NAS servers
- Personal cloud storage systems
- Media streaming servers
- Backup appliances
- Development and testing environments
- IoT data logging platforms
The board adopts a stacked HAT design and connects directly to the Raspberry Pi 5 through the included PCIe FPC cable. A dedicated 12V power input provides stable power delivery for multiple hard drives while also supplying power to the Raspberry Pi 5 through the GPIO header.
## Features
### Storage Expansion
- Supports up to 5 storage devices
- 4 × SATA ports for internal HDD/SSD connections
- 1 × eSATA port for external storage expansion
### Raspberry Pi 5 Native PCIe Connectivity
- Direct PCIe connection to Raspberry Pi 5
- High-speed storage access
- Optimized for NAS and data-intensive applications
### Flexible Power Input
- 12V DC 5525 barrel jack input
- 4-pin Molex power connector
- Can power both the storage board and Raspberry Pi 5 simultaneously
### Compact Stacked Design
- HAT-style mounting structure
- Space-efficient installation
- Suitable for DIY NAS projects
### Easy Integration
- Includes PCIe FPC cables
- Includes GPIO stacking header
- Tool-free drive replacement structure, only removes several screws
### Reliable Operation
- Stable power distribution for multi-drive systems
- Designed for 24/7 storage applications
- Supports active cooling solutions
### Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| Product SKU | EP-0265 |
| Product Name | 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion for Raspberry Pi 5 |
| Storage Interfaces | 4 × SATA + 1 × eSATA |
| Maximum Drives | 5 |
| Host Interface | PCIe |
| Compatible Board | Raspberry Pi 5 |
| Power Input | 12V DC 5525 / 4-Pin Molex |
| Form Factor | HAT |
| Application | NAS, Backup Server, Media Server, Data Storage |
| Operating Mode | 24/7 Continuous Operation Supported |
### Application Scenarios
### Home NAS Server
Build a personal NAS system using software such as:
- OpenMediaVault
- TrueNAS SCALE (experimental on ARM)
- CasaOS
- Samba Server
- Nextcloud
Applications:
- Personal cloud storage
- Family file sharing
- Photo and video backup
- Remote access
### Media Server
Create a multimedia center using:
- Jellyfin
- Plex
- Emby
Applications:
- Movie libraries
- Music collections
- Home theater systems
- Multi-device streaming
### Backup Server
Use multiple hard drives for:
- Automatic PC backups
- Mac Time Machine backups
- Mobile phone backups
- Security camera recordings
### Development & Testing Platform
Suitable for:
- Database testing
- Storage benchmarking
- Docker volume storage
- Kubernetes persistent storage
- Software validation
### IoT Data Logging
Store large amounts of:
- Sensor data
- AI inference logs
- Industrial monitoring records
- Smart home data
## Gallery
-
## Package List
{\| class="wikitable" \|- ! Item!! Quantity \|- \| EP-0265 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion Board \|\| 1 \|- \| PCIe FPC Cable \|\| 2 \|- \| 2×20-pin Female Header \|\| 1 \|- \| Acrylic Baffle \|\| 2 \|- \| M2.5×27+6 mm Brass Standoff \|\|4 \|- \| M2.5×5+6 mm Brass Standoff \|\| 4 \|- \| Hand-tightened Brass Nut \|\| 4 \|- \| M3×4 mm Screw \|\| 14 \|- \| M2.5 Screwdriver \|\| 1 \|- \| eSATA 2-in-1 Data Cable \|\| 1 \|}
## 6. Installation Steps
=== Step 1 – Install the Standoffs===
- Power off the Raspberry Pi 5.
- Install the four M2.5 brass standoffs onto the Raspberry Pi 5 mounting holes.
### Step 2 – Install the GPIO Header
- Insert the included 2×20 female GPIO header onto the Raspberry Pi 5 GPIO pins.
- Ensure the header is fully seated.
### Step 3 – Connect the PCIe Cable
- Open the PCIe FPC connector lock on the Raspberry Pi 5.
- Insert the PCIe cable with the correct orientation.
- Connect the other end to the 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion board.
- Lock both connectors securely.
Important: Incorrect cable orientation may prevent the board from being detected.
### Step 4 – Mount the Expansion Board
- Align the 5-Bay SATA Storage Expansion board with the GPIO header.
- Carefully lower the board onto the header.
- Secure the board using the supplied brass nuts.
### Step 5 – Install Storage Devices
- Insert SATA SSDs or HDDs into the SATA slots.
- Tighten the acrylic side brackets if required.
- Verify all drives are firmly seated.
### Step 6 – Connect Power
Choose one of the following power methods:
#### Option A – DC Power Input
- Connect a 12V DC adapter to the 5525(means 5.5mm x 2.5mm) barrel jack.
#### Option B – Molex Power Input
- Connect a standard 4-pin Molex power source.
### Step 7 – Boot and Verify
- Power on the system.
- Boot Raspberry Pi OS or your preferred NAS OS.
- Verify storage detection:
lsblk
or
sudo fdisk -l
- Initialize and format the drives if necessary.
## Important Notes
### Power Requirements
The startup current of HDDs can be significant.
Recommended power supplies:
| Drive Count | Recommended Power Supply |
|---------------------|--------------------------|
| 1\~2 SSDs | 12V 36W or higher |
| 2\~3 HDDs | 12V 48W or higher |
| 4\~5 HDDs | 12V 60W or higher |
| Mixed HDD/SSD Setup | 12V 72W or higher |
### Cooling
For long-term operation:
- Use active cooling fans.
- Ensure adequate airflow around the drives.
- Monitor drive temperatures regularly.
Recommended HDD operating temperature:
- 30°C \~ 45°C
### PCIe Cable Installation
- Verify cable orientation before power-on.
- Ensure connector locks are fully engaged.
- Avoid excessive bending of the FPC cable.
### Data Protection
- Always shut down the system properly.
- Do not disconnect power during disk activity.
- RAID is not a substitute for backup.
- Maintain external backups of important data.
### Hot Plugging
Unless your operating system and storage configuration explicitly support hot swapping:
- Do not insert drives while powered on.
- Do not remove drives while powered on.
## Common Disk Application Examples and Recommendations
### Scenario 1 – Home NAS
Configuration:
| Drive Type | Quantity |
|------------|----------|
| 4TB HDD | 4 |
| System SSD | 1 |
Recommended RAID:
- RAID 5
- RAIDZ1
Advantages:
- Good capacity utilization
- Single-drive fault tolerance
- Suitable for family storage
Capacity Example:
- 4 × 4TB HDD ≈ 12TB usable (RAID5)
### Scenario 2 – Media Server
Configuration:
| Drive Type | Quantity |
|------------|----------|
| 8TB HDD | 4 |
| SSD Cache | 1 |
Recommended Software:
- Jellyfin
- Plex
Advantages:
- Large media library
- Fast metadata access
- Smooth streaming experience
### Scenario 3 – Surveillance Storage
Configuration:
| Drive Type | Quantity |
|------------------|----------|
| Surveillance HDD | 4\~5 |
Recommended HDD Series:
- WD Purple
- Seagate SkyHawk
Advantages:
- Optimized for 24/7 recording
- Better write endurance
- Stable long-term operation
### Scenario 4 – SSD Development Server
Configuration:
| Drive Type | Quantity |
|------------|----------|
| SATA SSD | 5 |
Recommended Use Cases:
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- Databases
- CI/CD environments
Advantages:
- Low latency
- Silent operation
- Lower power consumption
### Scenario 5 – Backup Appliance
Configuration:
| Drive Type | Quantity |
|-----------------------------|----------|
| Large Capacity HDD | 4 |
| External eSATA Backup Drive | 1 |
Applications:
- Daily backup
- Weekly snapshots
- Off-site synchronization
Advantages:
- High reliability
- Large storage capacity
- Easy expansion