Connecting SATA disk array

Let's say, you want an external enclosure for sata drvies and hook up to your computer. Here's the solution.

1) use sata multilane: check this guide. Basically, you can connect four sata drives to four sata ports in your computer with a single sata multilane cable(bridge).

2) use sata port multiplier, check this guide Theoretically, it is possible to hook up 15 sata drives to one sata port on your computer(motherboard or PCI sata adaptor) with port multiplier. Yet, they have to share 3Gbps band width. Actually, commercial SATA disk arrays use port multiplier. Check addnonics as an example: it has internal/external 5x1 port multiplier which allows 5 sata drives on one sata/eSATA port.

3) commercial enclosures can also provide interfaces such as Fiber Channel, SCSI, SAS and Infiniband. Check out some commercial products, such as Sans Digital.

FAQ:
1) how to get an eSATA port?
You can use a SATA to eSATA converter or get an eSATA PCI adaptor.