Apply to be a beta tester for RAID 6 capability

We Are Looking For Users That:

·       Currently use or plan to use RAID 6 arrays

·       Have compatible and available multi-drive enclosures

·       Work with demanding applications (video editing, large media libraries, professional workflows)

·       Can provide detailed feedback on performance and stability

·       Comfortable testing pre-release software

Beta Program Details – What’s Included:

·       Early access to RAID 6 for macOS

·       Direct communication with our development team

·       Opportunity to influence the final product

What We Ask:

·       Regular testing and feedback on your real-world workflows

·       Reporting any issues or unexpected behavior

·       Sharing system diagnostics if problems occur

Participating in occasional surveys or brief check-ins

Time Commitment:

·       Flexible – use it as much or as little as fits your workflow

Brief feedback surveys (5-10 minutes)

Ready to be part of SoftRAID's future?

Space is limited. Please visit go.owc.com/softraid/mac/beta and complete the short form. We’ll reach out to qualified applicants who match our beta testing needs.

XOR Man would like to test RAID 6 and 6+ :^)

go.owc.com/softraid/mac/beta

And fill in the form. thanks!

I would like to be a beta tester for raid 6. I am installing a raid that will be continually backed up to Backblaze, so it’s an ideal situation for beta testing.

Posted by: @softraid-support

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Warning: the special beta version of SoftRAID with RAID 6 ability is NOT COMPATIBLE with existing SoftRAID volumes.

We will explain this to all beta users, but you need a dedicated Mac, or macOS volume, that DOES NOT HAVE ANY SOFTRAID VOLUMES CONNECTED!!!
This is a temporary limitation, because a special SoftRAID driver is needed to enable the beta features and connecting both volume types will irreparably damage your existing volumes!
Note: RAID 6 volumes will be supported in macOS 26 Tahoe only

So to be clear, will a RAID 6 volume that I create with the beta software need to be re-created when the software comes out of beta? Or will it be recognized by the release version? 

@filmguy 

We are likely to release a tool to "convert" the volume. But you cannot use the volumes created by this beta on any other system, nor connect any existing volumes to the system.

We hope to have a proper public beta in the next few months. But its not possible at this time.

Posted by: @softraid-support

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@filmguy 

We are likely to release a tool to "convert" the volume. But you cannot use the volumes created by this beta on any other system, nor connect any existing volumes to the system.

We hope to have a proper public beta in the next few months. But its not possible at this time.

understood. This will be my only SoftRAID volume for the time being, so that isn’t a problem.

The installer installs a new RAID 6 application. Does the standard Ver 8 application need to be uninstalled or should it be kept in place alongside the beta?

@filmguy 
There are instructions, but best is delete the 8.6.1 app. Then you cannot accidentally launch it.

Posted by: @softraid-support

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@filmguy 
There are instructions, but best is delete the 8.6.1 app. Then you cannot accidentally launch it.

Makes sense. I've looked for instructions, but not found them. Where are they?

Hi. I've downloaded the beta, but I see that it says "41 days remaining" on it. I have a SoftRAID premium license, but I see the Manage License section of this beta app is disabled. If I move forward with using this beta, will I not be able to access my RAID 6 drive after 41 days?

@softraid-support 

Two questions about the beta program as I wait for disks to certify—

First, you mentioned instructions for the beta. Where are they? I saw was no mention of them on the download page, and the links in the help menu take me to the 8.6 version instructions. Is there anything specific to the beta?

Second, what’s your preferred method for beta users to communicate with OWC/SoftRAID Support regarding any issues we might run into?

I feel like I’ve missed some readme file or something.

@filmguy 
Were you sent the link to the 9.0 beta? they should have been with that.

You can post issues here, or send them to support@softraid.com

Posted by: @softraid-support

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@filmguy 
Were you sent the link to the 9.0 beta? they should have been with that.

No. I followed the link at the top of this thread and filled out the form, which took me to a download link. 

@filmguy 

Let me investigate.