Does somebody have experience with Promise R4i?

So sorry, that is NOT correct information.

that would be correct for the Promise Pegasus j21, only.

r4i is an MPX module that takes up several Large PCI slots in the chassis, not the modest space at the top.

About the Promise Pegasus R4i MPX RAID storage module for Mac Pro (2019) - Apple Support

https://www.promise.com/Products/Pegasus/R4i-J2i

...

Here is a link to the Promise knowledge base article dealing with installation. Reverse the process for removal.

https://kb.promise.com/thread/proper-installation-of-pegasus-r4i-inside-of-a-mac-pro-2019-release/

Basically:

• Power Down
• Unplug
• Remove Cover
• Slide PCI lock switch to the unlocked position
• Remove PCIe bracket 1
• Remove PCIe bracket 3
• Remove R4i
• Install PCIs slot covers over empty PCIe slots
• Install PCIe bracket 3
• Install PCIe bracket 1
• Slide PCI lock switch to the locked position
• Replace cover
• Plug in power
• Turn on

If the R4i is working and you are looking to sell, let me know. I am in the market!

The PCIe lock switch sits just below the J2i and just to the right of the CPU, and to the left of the SATA cables going to the J2i. It is marked with a blue "2", much like the PCIe brackets are marked with a blue "1" & "3". It is al

You can see the switch in this picture:

https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/FZYgYdOwOkuojqtI.huge

Look 1/3 down from the top and just to the right of center.

The PCIe brackets (1 & 3) are on the far right and left sides (respectively) of the MPX slots.

While this picture is fuzzy and out of focus, you can see four light blue dots:

https://photos5.appleinsider.com/gallery/33920-60335-Mac-Pro-Internals-and-PCIe-xl.jpg

1 - Right side of MPX modules

2 - PICe lock switch

3 - Left side of MPX modules

4 - MPX video card

Hope this helps. :-)

that lock switch is far toward the top of the PCIe slot area. look for the SATA connectors for "other" setup, the j2i, and you will see it there. It is very unremarkable.

Install PCIe cards in your Mac Pro (2019) - Apple Support

The R4i should consist of:

• The main skeletal frame which slides into the Mac Pro (and includes the electronics)
• 4x drive carriers (to hold the hard drives and slide into the skeletal frame)
• 4x 8TB 7200rpm Toshiba MD06ACA800V SATA hard drives
• 16x hard drive mounting screws

The best web page I have found to show the parts is on 9to5mac. Here is a link:

https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/20/promise-pegasus-r4i-raid-mpx-review/

(Hopefully the link is not removed)

The carrier and (bottom mount) drive mounting screws are shown around the 3:00 mark.

I have not yet seen or held one of these units, so I am simply working off information gleaned from reading documentation and viewing product pictures and videos.

For the frame, carriers and mounting screws (plus shock mounts if they are used) I would offer $500. Please let me know if you find this reasonable. Again, If you are uncertain, I will gladly remove the drives and ship them back to you.

Its a small frame, a SATA data cable and a USB adapter to SATA, and power.

This picture of a Fusionflex j31 might help you understand what you are facing.

That might be a good spot for some rotating magnetic drives used for backups.

I would still be interested in purchasing the base unit from you. I do not want the 8TB hard drives as I intend on using higher capacity drives (22TB). However, if you would like, I can disassemble the unit and ship the drives back to you. I would require any and all hardware, including screws, shock mounts, drive carriers, etc. Let me know if you are interested in selling.

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