Acomdata RPDOCKU2FA User Manual

User’s Guide

For the

DockPod
Docking Station

Model #: RPDOCKU2FA

Windows & Mac

Please retain this guide.

CONTENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

PACKAGE CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

PRODUCT REGISTRATION FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

ABOUT ROCKETPOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

DOCKPOD AT A GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

DOCKPOD IN-DEPTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO YOUR COMPUTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

HOW TO STACK&PLAY ROCKETPOD MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

STACKING ROCKETPOD MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

REMOVING STACKED-ON MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

TURNING OFF A ROCKETPOD STACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

CONNECTION OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO A USB HUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

CONNECTING YOUR ROCKETPOD STACK TO A FIREWIRE DAISY-CHAIN . . . . . . 31

TROUBLESHOOTING/FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . .33

SOLVING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

CONTACT INFORMATION

3

Mailing Address:

P.O. BOX 5499
Diamond Bar, California
91765-7499

Telephone:

[phone]

Fax:

[phone]

Web:

www.acomdata.com

Customer Service:

[e-mail]

Technical Support:

[e-mail]

Pre-Sales Questions:

[e-mail]

4

WELCOME

Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of DockPod, the
Docking Station for RocketPod Hi-Performance Peripherals from
AcomData.

This guide contains instructions on how to connect your DockPod to
your computer and stack on RocketPod modules using the patented
Stack&Play™ system. For instructions pertaining to the usage of a
specific RocketPod product, please see the User's Guide for that
product.

Please read this guide carefully before using your DockPod, and
retain it for future reference.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

The package should contain the following items:

• DockPod Docking Station

• FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin)

• USB 2.0 cable (compatible with USB 1.x)

• AC adapter and power cord

• User’s Guide

• Warranty Registration Card

If you are missing any of the items listed above, please contact
AcomData Customer Service at [e-mail]
or call 1-800-470-4495 or [phone].

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PRODUCT REGISTRATION

FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE

Please take a few moments to register your AcomData product.
Registration is required in the event that your product needs warran­ty service. Also, please retain your sales receipt from the purchase
of this product; a copy of the sales receipt is also required to attain
warranty service.

Two ways to register:

1. Fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card included in the
package;

2. Register your AcomData product online at www.acomdata.com.
To register, click on the Customer Support button and follow the
instructions.

Online registration entitles you to free online support services,
including online tech support and customized software updates.

PRECAUTIONS

Be sure to follow the precautions listed below. Failure to follow
these precautions may cause damage to your AcomData product
and void the warranty.

• Read this User’s Guide carefully and follow the correct procedures
for installing and using the device.

• Do not open the device or attempt to disassemble or modify it.
If it appears to be malfunctioning, contact AcomData Technical
Support.

• Never expose the device to rain or use it near water or in damp or
wet conditions.

• Never place containers on it containing liquids which may spill onto
the device. This can damage the device and increase the risk of
electric shock, short-circuiting, fire or personal injury.

• Make sure that the computer and the device are electrically
grounded. If the device has a three-prong (grounded) plug, never
plug the device into a two-prong (non-grounded outlet).

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• Do not expose the device to temperatures outside the range of
5° C to 40° C (41° F to 104° F). Doing so may damage the device
or disfigure its casing.

• Do not use a third-party AC adapter or power cord. Doing so may
damage the device.

• Do not bump, jar or drop the device as this may damage it or
result in loss of data.

• Do not try to set the device on its side; it is not designed to be
placed on its side.

• Do not disconnect any cables while the device is powered on.

• AcomData highly recommends that you regularly back-up the files
stored on your hard drive(s). AcomData is not responsible for any
data loss, nor will AcomData perform any recovery of lost data or
files.

ABOUT
ROCKETPOD™

RocketPod is a revolutionary new line of
hi-performance computer peripherals from
AcomData––and they’re unlike anything
you’ve seen before.

If you want a computer peripherals solution
that is portable, expandable, compact, can
eliminate the ‘rat’s nest’ of wires on your
desktop––and is ready for the future––
you want RocketPod.

Patented
Stack & Play™ System

This revolutionary tech­nology lets you stack
RocketPod peripherals
without additional data
cables or power cords. The
patented Stack&Play connectors

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built into RocketPod devices safely and seamlessly relay power and
data signals between stacked RocketPod modules.

Modular Design

Connect a DockPod Docking Station to your computer and then stack
on the RocketPod modules that you need right now. Then, simply

add more modules as you need them––and as new

RocketPod products become available. You

can stack any combination of up to five

RocketPod modules onto your DockPod.

Portable

Super-compact size and grab-and-go
convenience make it a snap to take
RocketPod peripherals on the go:

• transfer large amounts of data to
another computer;

• bring your work to and from your home
and office;

• secure your daily backups off-site;
or whatever reason you may have to
make your data portable.

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and FireWire

No matter what interface you choose, you get blazing performance.
You can even combine USB 2.0 and FireWire RocketPod modules in
the same stack with the DockPod Docking Station.

Hot Swappable

This is the way hot swapping was truly meant to be. Add or remove
RocketPod peripherals without turning off your computer––or fussing
with cables.

Mac or PC

All RocketPod modules are compatible with both Mac and PC.

Rugged and Stylish

With solid metal alloy tops, rugged construction and advanced
technology, RocketPod peripherals are designed to give you years
of reliable performance––and look great while doing it!

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DOCKPOD AT

Stack&Play™ Connector

Relays electrical power and data
signals to stacked-on RocketPod
modules.

Stack Light

Lights up when a link between the
DockPod and stacked-on RocketPod
module(s) is established.

Voltage Meter

Measures the amount of
power used by stacked-on
RocketPod modules.

Power Button

Lights up blue when the DockPod
is powered on and ready.

A GLANCE

13

ON THE BACK PANEL

FireWire

(IEEE 1394a) port

USB 2.0 port

AC adapter power port

14

DOCKPOD IN-DEPTH

STACK&PLAY™ CONNECTOR

Your DockPod has two main func­tions: 1) to supply electrical power
for up to five stacked-on RocketPod
modules, and; 2) to relay data signals
between those modules, your computer,
and other devices connected to the same USB
and/or FireWire data buses.

The Stack&Play connector, located on the top-side of your DockPod,
is the power and data link to your stacked-on RocketPod modules.
The standard power and data connections located on the back of the
DockPod are used to connect DockPod to your computer.

STACK LIGHT

The Stack light, located on the fascia of your DockPod, tells you when
a proper link has been established between the DockPod and any
stacked-on RocketPod modules. The Stack light will be illuminated
when your DockPod is powered on and one or more RocketPod
peripherals are stacked onto the DockPod.