Docking assembly with multi-mode drive control

A storage system comprising:

• a portable data pack including multiple storage drives within an enclosure;
• and
• a docking station configured to serve as an interface between the portable data pack and a host computer, the docking station including:
• a RAID controller;
• a drive-side connection interface that provides a physical and electrical coupling to each of the multiple storage drives in the portable data pack;
• a host-side connection interface to provide a physical and electrical coupling from the host computer to a first path of two selectable paths within the docking station to the drive-side connection interface via the RAID controller in the docking station, the host-side connection interface to further provide a second physical and electrical coupling from the host computer to a second path of the two selectable paths within the docking station to the drive-side connection interface bypassing the RAID controller in the docking station;
• and
• mode selection logic for directing communications in route between the host computer and a select drive of the multiple storage drives along one of the two selectable paths within the docking station,
• the first path of the two selectable paths transporting data of a first communication protocol input from the host computer and permitting the host computer and the select drive to bidirectionally communicate through the RAID controller of the docking station;
• and
• the second path of the two selectable paths transporting data of a second communication protocol input from the host computer and permitting the host computer to bidirectionally communicate with the select drive through a RAID controller internal to the host computer along a data channel that bypasses the RAID controller in the docking station.