Plan is to re-deploy the drobo-s to backup my iMac and multiple macbook airs in the house (mac doesn't have eSata). Have only spent a brief time with it to verify functionality as its still connected to my windows machine. Next step is to connect it to the iMac, format to HFS+ and do some speed tests.
That is the intent, at this point the unit is still hooked to a windows machine. Wanted to make sure the dongle converter worked before migrating to the iMac. Most likely will make the transition this coming weekend.
The rest of the story. Moved the drobo-s and connected it to the iMac using the dongle above. Drobo dashboard on iMac does not see it. Reconnected via USB 2 and the dashboard now see's it. Formated to HFS+. Tested write speeds and got an underwhelming 33MB/sec - geez! Shut it down, reconnected via the dongle and unlike the windows machine, the dashboard still does not see it BUT, the iMac does!. Tested write speeds, now getting approx 85MB/sec. Not quite 3 times faster but close enough. Setup and pointed Time machine to a sparsebundle on the drobo-s and its currently doing its thing.
So what has this done?
1. My old drobo-s (ver 1) that does not have USB 3 is now working with the iMac which does not support eSata but via the dongle is working at USB 3.0 speeds which are close to eSata.
2. Yet to be determined, if operating this unit without the dashboard has complications on the iMac
3. My Drobo 5D thunderbolt is free for managing photos, etc...
You said this is for backup so it seems transfer speed is more or less irrelevant. Seems it would be better to have the dashboard, since slower speeds should have no meaningful impact.
You are correct, its more of an exercise to see what can and can't be done. Haven't totally come to grips on all the uses the s unit is going to be used for. Again, if it becomes just backup then I'll most likely revert it to usb 2.
