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If by "access your drives" you mean read data from them that's already on them, then no. The NAS will need to re-format them to a Linux format before you can use them, which will wipe out all data. If you mean "make use of the drives", then yes.
Does your PC eSATA controller support port multiplication? If it doesn't say it does, it probably doesn't. Most motherboard eSATA connections don't. That could be why it's not working for you on the PC. Or, it just may not be possible. The OP posted that he is getting a controller that does support it, so you may want to wait and see if he has better luck. But even if it does work, you might not be able to use your drives with the data on them. I can't see the part number on the big IC well enough in the pictures, but it looks to be something more than just a SATA multiplier, quite likely programmable.
You definately don't want to use those drives in a NAS (internally or in an expansion chassis), as the contents will be wiped. I think you should be looking for a USB3 or SATA drive dock. Note that a DAS that uses RAID (such as a Drobo 5c or 5d) is also not what you want, as they also need to reformat the drives to create the RAID. Make sure it states it suports drives of at least 4TB. I'd expect anything with USB3 to do so, but never assume. I'm not aware of any Netgear product that's designed for what you want.
At ~$125 the EDA500 might be worth buying just to get the 6 drive trays.
Even if it does work in a PC, you would lose USB (which the Orico has). But the EDA is $50 cheaper than the ORICO and has the same number of live bays. So if someone here found it works in a PC, then probably are folks here who might go for it.
The EDA500 has 5 bays. Well, iirc, it has 6, but only 5 have a connector in the back. A DAS could also provide interesting features such as RAID (directly on the chassis). And it works out of the box. My point is that maybe an EDA500 for $125 is a good deal but not as no-brainer as it may seem.
My point is that maybe an EDA500 for $125 is a good deal but not as no-brainer as it may seem.
I don't disagree with that. You do need an eSATA adapter with a port multiplier - which is a big limitation. USB works with any of my PCs (including the laptops).
But I don't see much risk for someone who wants to try it - even if they can't return it, they could likely get the purchase price back by reselling the disk trays on ebay.
I guess the whole point here is that an EDA500 might work out of the box too. We'll know when the OP gets back (or if someone else who already owns one can check it).
If you purchase the Startech 2-port it is just plug and play with the expansion?
Just put the HDD's in the expansion. Expansion connecting with eSata to the startech and you see your drives in Windows 10? How are the speeds? If you write a big file to the HDD's what could you expect?
