Icy Dock ToughArmor MB508V5P-B to Converts Two External 5.25-Inch Drive Bays into 8-Bay Removable NVMe Storage Solution

Icy Dock launches the ToughArmor MB508V5P-B converts 2 external 5.25″ drive bays into an 8-bay removable NVMe storage solution designed for enterprise servers, industrial computers, and media workstations.

Supporting up to 8×15 mm U.2/U.3 NVMe SSDs via 4xMCIO 8i (SFF-TA-1016) connectors, it delivers PCIe Gen5 x4 bandwidth/drive – for data-intensive workloads such as AI training, edge computing, and 8K content creation.

Removable Drive Trays – Mobility, Maintenance and Security

The EZ-Slide removable tray system enables quick drive swaps without system downtime, supporting true hot-swap functionality for NVMe SSD maintenance and replacement. This design simplifies data rotation between systems (sneakernet workflow), facilitates daily backups, and enhances physical security in sensitive environments where drives can be removed and stored offline after use.

For drive security, the eagle-hook lock system on the tray makes sure your hard drives will not eject when not needed.

Flexible Drive-Height Support for Future U.2/U.3 Form Factors

Each tray supports 2.5″ U.2 and U.3 NVMe SSDs from 7 to 15mm in height, allowing the use of both standard and high-capacity drives within the same enclosure. The removable tray design is also forward-compatible with emerging 5 and 9.5 mm SSD form factors, ensuring maximum flexibility as next-gen NVMe standards evolve.

Next-Gen MCIO Interface – PCIe Gen5 Ready

Equipped with 4xMCIO 8i connectors compliant with SFF-9402 Rev 1.1, the MB508V5P-B ensures full compatibility with modern Tri-Mode HBA and RAID cards in NVMe mode only. Each connector provides a dedicated PCIe Gen5 x4 channel, enabling aggregate bandwidth up to 128Gb/s while maintaining signal integrity and low-noise transmission for high-speed NVMe operations.

Optimized Cooling for Gen5 NVMe Thermal Demands

Compared to single-bay mobile rack enclosures, the MB508V5P-B employs a large 80 mm cooling fan and an optimized front-to-PCB airflow path to ensure effective heat dissipation across all 8 high-speed drives. The vented front panel, metal chassis, and strategically placed air channels work together to prevent thermal throttling during sustained PCIe Gen5 operations, maintaining performance stability in AI servers and data-intensive applications.

Industrial-Grade Durability and Power Delivery
Constructed entirely from heavy-duty metal, the ToughArmor chassis provides outstanding structural rigidity and EMI protection for mission-critical environments. The all-metal tray design (MB991TRAY-B) ensures long-term durability, even under frequent drive swaps or transport.

The unit is powered through 1xPCIe 8-pin and 1xPCIe 6-pin connector, delivering stable high-current power suitable for today’s power-hungry NVMe SSDs used in 24/7 industrial and server operations.