High density array system having multiple storage units with active movable media drawers

A method of operating a first data storage unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing said first data storage unit with at least one server mother board, at least one expander device and at least one power source and a plurality of retractable media drawers wherein each of said plurality of retractable media drawers comprise a plurality of data storage elements, a fan device, and a locking mechanism associated with each of said plurality of data storage devices that retains each of said data storage devices;
• receiving a first data package from a host;
• storing said first data package to at least one of said plurality of data storage elements;
• extending one of said plurality of retractable media drawers at least partially from said first data storage unit;
• removing one of data storage elements from said extended retractable media drawer by disengaging said locking mechanism that upon disengaging causes an ejection system to at least partially eject said data storage element from said extended retractable media drawer;
• receiving a second data package from said host;
• and
• storing said second data package to at least one of a plurality of additional data storage elements associated with a second data storage unit that is connected to said first data storage unit via said at least one expander device.

A primary data storage unit comprising:

• a power source;
• a communication source;
• a plurality of retractable media drawers wherein each of said retractable media drawers comprise a plurality of data storage elements, said plurality of data storage elements adapted to store data received from said communication source, each of said data storage elements are retained by a locking mechanism that at least partially ejects said data storage element when disengaged, and wherein each of said retractable media drawers possesses a fan device;
• each of said retractable media drawers maintaining connectivity to said power source and said communication source via a conducting cable when each of said media drawers is between a first position that is extended partially away from said primary data storage unit and a second position that is retracted from said first position towards said primary data storage unit;
• means for preventing said conducting cable from becoming tangled;
• means for connecting at least a second data storage unit with said primary data storage unit.