Yes, under Linux Debian the drives in the FANTEC QB-35US3-6G can be displayed and mounted individually so that a software RAID can be created with `mdadm`.
- The enclosure supports up to four SATA I/II/III hard drives, each of which can be used, replaced or expanded separately.
- Debian, like other Linux distributions, supports the use of multiple hard disks and enables the creation of software RAIDs with `mdadm`. It is important that the system and the hard drive controllers support the use of hard drive capacities, especially when it comes to larger hard drives.
- As the enclosure does not provide any RAID functions internally, but only provides the physical accommodation and connections for the hard disks, a software RAID can be set up under Debian without any problems.
I run the product on a media server with a Debian-based operating system (OMV), so very similar to Ubuntu, which is also based on Debian.
Works fine, the hard drives also go into standby by themselves when not being accessed. I think the automatic power on/off works together with the system, but I'm not 100% sure because I usually leave the system on all the time.
The only thing that gives me problems from time to time is that the Fantec case doesn't switch itself on again after a power failure, but this is probably a very specific problem that will be irrelevant for most people and only occurs very rarely. It also has nothing whatsoever to do with the operating system.
By the way, I would recommend replacing the standard fan with a better one, because the built-in one is not very quiet. I installed a suitable Noiseblocker 80mm fan, and now you can't hear the device anymore.
The housing is not particularly loud. However, it is not very decoupled. In my case, it's on a wooden plate, and that passed on some noise at the beginning. In the meantime, I put 2 cm of rubber under the feet, and since then practically nothing is audible. The fan is quiet enough. You can set 3 levels and there is also an automatic control. If the data transfer is high for hours, the fan gets a little louder (and then audible). After almost 2 years of operation, the fan on one of the two units has become a little louder (bearing) and I will occasionally replace it with a (quiet) replacement fan. I find the enclosure to be sufficiently well constructed and reliable. There have been no failures despite 24/7/365.
There is also a version with a RAID controller, where a RAID can be configured and displayed as "1 hard disk" or disk storage. (Unfortunately, I also got this version and hope to spare you the same fate with this answer ;-) )
Since I change the hard drives for each project, I have not screwed on the handles. Works wonderfully. But it is important to shut down the units before changing the hard disks.
2 3.0 TB WD Red (NAS Hard Drive) , 2 6.0 TB WD Red (NAS Hard Drive). Fantec is connected to the computer via USB 3, the computer is not connected to the internet, and I only back up my image files manually. Fantec is very quiet and cleanly manufactured.