Overview, Benefits of SAS and Sata | Intel RES2SV240 instruction

1Overview

The Intel® RAID Expander Card RES2SV240 offers high performance, high disk drive connectivity,scalability, and flexibility in various storage environments, and is an attractive alternative to other expensive and complex topologies. The SAS expander is ideal for high availability and scalable server clustering environments and front-end storage subsystems used in clusters, Storage Area Networks (SANs), and Network- Attached Storage (NAS) environments. It is an optimal device for use in data centers and SANs, leveraging existing SCSI infrastructure for investment protection and ease of migration and implementation.

Intel® RAID Expander Card RES2SV240 is a 24-port, 6.0Gb/s Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) expander that enables the connection of up to 24 directly attached SAS or Serial ATA (SATA) devices. Each expander phy is individually configurable and performs SAS and SATA transfers based on the speed of the host or target at either 6.0Gb/s, 3.0Gb/s, or 1.5Gb/s.

The Intel® RAID Expander Card RES2SV240 addresses the growing demand for increased data throughput and scalability requirements across entry level, midrange, and enterprise server platforms.

SATA and SAS are serial, point-to-point, device interfaces that use simplified cabling, smaller connectors, lower pin counts, and lower power requirements than parallel SCSI.

Benefits of SAS and SATA

SAS is a serial, enterprise-level device interface that leverages the proven SCSI protocol set. SAS is a convergence of the advantages of SATA, SCSI, and FC, and is the future mainstay of the enterprise and high-end workstation storage markets. SAS offers a higher bandwidth per pin than parallel SCSI and improves signal and data integrity.

The SAS interface uses the proven SCSI command set to ensure reliable data transfers, while providing the connectivity and flexibility of point-to-point serial data transfers. The serial transmission of SCSI commands eliminates clock skew challenges. The SAS interface provides improved performance, simplified cabling, smaller connectors, lower pin count, and lower power requirements than parallel SCSI.

SAS controllers leverage a common electrical and physical connection interface that is compatible with Serial ATA technology. The SAS and SATA protocols support the use of a thin, 7-wire connector instead of the 68-wire SCSI cable or 40-wire ATA cable. The SAS/SATA connector and cable are easier to manipulate, connect to smaller devices, and do not inhibit airflow. The point-to-point SATA architecture eliminates difficulties created by the legacy ATA master-slave architecture, while maintaining compatibility with existing ATA firmware.

Intel® RAID Expander Card RES2SV240 Hardware User’s Guide

RES2SV240 specifications

The Intel RES2SV240 is a versatile and robust RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) controller designed to enhance storage performance and reliability for enterprise environments. This controller is specifically engineered to support high-performance, high-capacity storage arrays, providing organizations with the means to manage vast amounts of data efficiently.

One of the standout features of the Intel RES2SV240 is its support for up to 24 SATA or SAS drives, offering substantial scalability for data-intensive applications. This capability is particularly beneficial for businesses that require a reliable system for large databases, data warehousing, or cloud storage solutions. The controller operates with the Intel IOP348 processor, ensuring high-speed data processing and low latency, crucial for demanding workloads.

The RES2SV240 supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This flexibility allows IT administrators to choose the appropriate configuration based on their specific performance, redundancy, and data availability requirements. The ability to create diverse RAID configurations helps in optimizing storage management while ensuring critical data remains protected against disk failures.

Another notable characteristic of the Intel RES2SV240 is its advanced error-checking capabilities. The controller utilizes features such as CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) and ECC (Error-Correcting Code) to ensure data integrity, significantly reducing the risk of corruption during transactions. This reliability is essential in enterprise environments where data accuracy is paramount.

Additionally, the RES2SV240 supports hot-swappable drives, allowing users to replace failed drives without taking the system offline. This feature minimizes downtime and enhances overall system reliability. For further optimized performance, the controller includes a battery-backed write cache, which safeguards data in the event of power loss, ensuring that no transactions or information are lost.

The Intel RES2SV240 is compatible with various server operating systems, making it a flexible solution for different environments. Its management interface is user-friendly and comprehensive, providing detailed insight into storage health and performance metrics, allowing IT personnel to optimize operations effectively.

In summary, the Intel RES2SV240 RAID controller is a powerful tool for businesses seeking to enhance their data storage capabilities. With its support for a large number of drives, versatile RAID configurations, strong data protection mechanisms, and ease of management, it stands out as a reliable choice for enterprise-level storage solutions. Its robust performance characteristics make it a valuable addition to any data-driven organization.