Do eSATA HDD docking stations have a capacity limit?

Posted by Michael Kjörling on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Michael Kjörling
Published on 2014-08-18T19:59:39Z Indexed on 2014/08/18 22:24 UTC
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I'm looking at perhaps buying an eSATA docking station to be able to easily plug in and unplug hard disk drives, particularly but not necessarily only for backup purposes.

Note: This is not a hardware shopping recommendation question. Please don't vote to close it as such.

Looking at different models, I find for example this page detailing the Deltaco SI-7908SUS which specifically states "storage capacity: 1.5 TB" as well as "pictured hard disk not included, only for illustration". A customer review specifically mentions that it does not work with 3 TB drives, although does not go into any detail such as OS, drive model, etc. From a brief glance, the vendor's web site does not appear to say either way.

Then there is the quite similar Deltaco SI-7908B3 which boasts on the box "all 2.5" and 3.5" HDD/SSD compatible".

My question is: Why would what basically amounts to a SATA/eSATA adapter have any say in what storage capacity devices are supported? Does it? Assuming the OS supports the full capacity of the drive, why should introducing another (not even a different, really) connector change anything?

Bonus question: Might it make a difference if the docking station exposes multiple interfaces (such as in the case of for example the SI-7908SUS exposing USB 2.0 and eSATA)? (I still think it shouldn't, but it'd be nice to have it confirmed.)

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