EZ Swap M3500 - Disk array Vantec - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Disk Array / Mobile Rack
Brand	Vantec
Model Series	EZ Swap M3500 (M3501T, M3503T, M3504T, M3505T)
Material	Aluminum Frame
Supported Drive Types	SATA I/II/III, SAS I/II HDDs and SSDs
Supported Drive Sizes	2.5" and 3.5"
Maximum Drive Height (2.5")	14.5 mm
Maximum Drive Height (3.5")	25.4 mm
Maximum Capacity per Bay	4 TB (current)
Total Capacity (varies by model)	M3501T: 4 TB, M3503T: 12 TB, M3504T: 16 TB, M3505T: 20 TB
Cooling Fan	Varies by model: M3501T optional 40x40x10mm, M3503T 70x70x15mm, M3504T/M3505T 80x80x20mm
Power Input Connector	Varies by model: 1 or 2 SATA/SAS power connectors
Required Drive Bay	Varies by model: M3501T 1x5.25", M3503T 2x5.25", M3504T/M3505T 3x5.25"
Dimensions (LxWxH)	Varies by model: e.g., M3501T 186.5x147.4x42.4 mm
Weight	Varies by model: e.g., M3501T 0.88 lb (0.4 kg)
Security Lock	Yes, on drive tray
Hot-Swap Support	Yes, with guide rails and dampener springs
LED Indicators	Drive activity, fan status, temperature
Vibration Dampening	Patented dampener springs
Accessories Included	Mounting screws, keys, SATA cables, quick installation guide
RAID Support	Via external RAID controller (not built-in)
Compatibility	Any SATA or SAS controller; mix of SATA and SAS drives requires separate controllers

Frequently Asked Questions - EZ Swap M3500 Vantec

How do I install drives in the Vantec EZ Swap M3500?

First, securely mount your 2.5" or 3.5" SATA/SAS drive to the included aluminum tray using the provided screws. Slide the tray into the corresponding bay until it clicks. Use the key to lock the tray for security. Connect the backplane to your controller using the supplied SATA cables, then power on.

Can I mix SATA and SAS drives in the same unit?

Yes, you can mix SATA and SAS drives in the same EZ Swap M3500, but SATA drives must be connected to a SATA controller and SAS drives to a SAS controller. SAS drives only support the primary channel.

Does this enclosure support RAID?

The EZ Swap M3500 itself does not have built-in RAID. It is a backplane that provides passthrough connections. To use RAID, you need an external RAID controller or a motherboard with RAID capability. The enclosure facilitates easy connection to any RAID controller.

What is the maximum drive height supported?

For 2.5" drives, the maximum height is 14.5 mm (including SSDs). For 3.5" drives, the maximum height is 25.4 mm. Ensure your drives do not exceed these limits to fit properly.

How does the vibration dampening work?

The EZ Swap M3500 features patented dampener springs on the guide rails. These springs minimize vibration transferred from the drives to the chassis, reducing noise and extending drive lifespan.

What do the LED indicators mean?

The front panel LEDs indicate drive activity (usually blinking for read/write), fan status (steady or off for normal, blinking for error), and temperature (may change color or blink if overheating). Refer to your specific model manual for exact meaning.

Can I hot-swap drives with this enclosure?

Yes, the EZ Swap M3500 is designed for hot-swapping. You can remove or insert drives without powering down the system, provided your controller supports hot-swap. Always follow proper procedures: unmount the drive in your OS, then safely eject before physically removing.

How do I clean and maintain the enclosure?

Turn off and unplug the unit. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior. For dust buildup on the fan and vents, use compressed air. Avoid liquids or abrasive cleaners. Periodically check that the fan spins freely and the LED indicators are functioning.

Is the enclosure compatible with both 2.5" and 3.5" drives?

Yes, the EZ Swap M3500 accepts both 2.5" and 3.5" SATA/SAS drives. The aluminum tray has mounting holes for both sizes. For 2.5" drives, you may need to adjust the screw positions; the tray accommodates up to 14.5 mm height for 2.5" drives.

What should I do if a drive is not recognized?

Check that the drive is properly seated in the tray and fully inserted into the backplane. Ensure the SATA/SAS cable is securely connected to the controller. Verify that the drive is powered on (the LED should light). Test the drive in another bay or computer. If the issue persists, consult your controller's compatibility list.

USER MANUAL EZ Swap M3500 Vantec

- Features:

Solid and Sturdy Design

This Sturdy Design uses All Aluminum Frame as foundation and is a perfect fit for any Rackmount or Desktop/Tower chassis, it slide right into the drive space without much effort and is easily secure to the chassis. This Solid material provides excellent heat dissipating capability and offers Strength without the Weight.

Guide Rails with Dampener Springs

The Patented design Dampener Springs minimize the vibration to the drives. This will help extend the life of the drives and at the same time reduced noise.

Quiet Cooling Fan(s)

The Cooling fan(s) is designed to provide rapid air exchange, this will purge out hot air and draws in cool air to keep all the drives in a Cool state. It will do all these in a quiet manner and help extend the durability of the drives.

Space Saving

The Space saving features helps maximize the integration of multi-drive in any chassis to use less space for more capacity.

Durable Drive Tray Design

The durable Aluminum drive tray design comes with security lock to prevent remove of the drives at the same time offers a clear LED Indicator to report on the activities of the drives, fan and temperature.

Built for Easy RAID configuration

The versatile design allow for easy link between your drives and your RAID controller. Pick the drive bays and connect the cable and you are ready to build any RAID mode to your choosing.

Multi-Function and Versatile

This adaptable design with lets you use SATA or SAS drives for storage, you can choose between any 2.5" SATA I,II,III, SAS I, II HDDs (up to 14.5mm) or SSDs. The well thought out design allows for consumer and/or enterprise class drives in any bay linked to your selected drive controller.

Simplified Storage integration

This backplane design helps simplify the integration of your storage to one central location for easier manageability and monitoring. The status of each drive can be clear inspected for any abnormally and replace if needed.

EZ Swap Design

Quick hot-swapping of drives makes it easy for adding capacity or removing drives for transportation to Off-Site storage of your critical data. The safe guards of your data are ever more important with this design.

Adaptable - 3.5" or 2.5" Size Drive

Design to Fit different size drives using 3.5" or 2.5" SATA/SAS drives for different needs. Your choice could be limitless like Everyday storage to Enterprise Class Storage in Datacenter.

- Introduction:

Solid, Versatile, Durable, Functional and Quiet is the key features of the Vantec EZ Swap M3500 Series Storage. This design is suited for rackmount or Desktop/Tower chassis, the Solid Aluminum frame design offers excellent strength and heat dissipation properties, but without the weight. Its sturdy frame also offers the Versatility to add SATA-6Gps or SAS-6Gps HDDs/SSDs. The patent design - Vibrations Reducing Springs dampens vibration to help extend the life of the drives and the quick guide rails for smooth Hot Swapping of drives. The Functional aspect offers security lock designed to secure and easy swapping of drives for transportation or Off-Site storage of your Critical Data. The Informative LED allows Clear Indicator of the Drives Status, Fan and Temperature on the Storage. The Quiet fan purges out hot air and keeps all the Drives in a cool state. These methodical designs make this M3500 Series Storage an excellent choice for your use.

- Specifications:

M3500 SERIES M3500 SERIES
MODEL M3501T M3503T		M3504T			M3505T
SUPPORTED HEIGHT of Drive	2.5" Min/Max Drive Height(mm)	9/15 9/15 9/15			9/15
	3.5" Max Drive Height(mm)	25.4 25.4	25.4 25.4
2.5" Hard Drive/SSD	Hard Drive Carrier Tray	1 3 4			5
	SATA Drive support *	Yes Yes Yes			Yes
	SAS Drive support *	Yes Yes Yes			Yes
	Pass Thru Drive Speed	SATA I,II,III SAS I,II SATA	I,II,III SAS I,II SATA I,II,III SAS I,II		SATA I,II,III SAS I,II
	HDD Capacity per Carrier Tray **	4 TB 4 TB 4 TB			4 TB
	Total HDD Capacity	4 TB 12 TB 16 TB			20 TB
INTEGRATED FAN (mm) [quantity]		Optional 40x40x10 [1] 70x70x15 [1] 80x80x20 [1]			80x80x20 [1]
SATA/SAS Power Input Connector		1 2 2			2
MATERIAL		Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum			Aluminum
Standard 5.25" Drive Bay required for installation		1x5.25 2x5.25 3x5.25			3x5.25
DIMENSION Lengthx-WidthxHeight (mm)		186.5x147.4x42.4	207x145.8x86.1	211.2x145.6x125.5	211.2x126x145.8
Weight (lb)		0.88 2.84	4.39		4.41
Accessories		Mounting screws, keys, SATA cable, QIG	Mounting screws, keys, 3 SATA cable, QIG	Mounting screws, keys, 4 SATA cable, QIG	Mounting screws, keys, 5 SATA cable, QIG
* You can mix SATA and SAS drives in the same Storage Unit, but SATA drives HAVE to be connected to SATA controller and SAS drives HAVE to be connected to SAS controller. SAS drive only support Primary Channel.
** Current maximum drive capacity available from drive manufacturers. Please check our website www.vantecusa.com for any updates to the latest capacity supported.