A modular disk memory apparatus provides a modularly expandable, multi-
gigabyte auxiliary memory for a computer or other host electronic device, and includes multiple, parallel serial data channels to maximize bidirectional data transfer rates between the apparatus and the host device. Maximization of READ / WRITE data transfer rates within the apparatus is achieved by utilizing a large number of small hard disk drives, typically eight 2.5-inch drives on each of a plurality of
Disk Storage Modules, each including a plug-in
printed circuit board capable of holding two 5-+E,fra 1 / 4+EE inch drives, thereby increasing the maximum data transfer rate per
unit volume of the modules by a factor of two. Maximization of bidirectional data transfer rates between the apparatus and host device over that attainable using a single serial
data channel such as a coaxial, quadaxial or
fiber optic cable, is achieved by
parsing or demultiplexing data to be transmitted from a single
parallel channel onto p paralleled cables, thereby increasing the maximum transmittal rate by p. Data received over the parallel data channels is multiplexed or concatenated to comprise a
data stream on a single
parallel channel. Reconstruction data is embedded in data contained in the p parallel data channels specifying the number q of channels employed, where 1< / =q< / =p thereby configuring the
demultiplexer to concatenate that number of data channels onto a single parallel data
bus.