IBM MegaRAID 8480 manual Benefits of the SAS Interface

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Table 1.1

Physical Drives Required for Each RAID Level (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

RAID

Minimum # of

Maximum # of

 

Level

Physical Drives

Physical Drives

 

 

 

 

 

1

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

5

3

32

 

 

 

 

 

10

4

16

 

 

 

 

 

50

6

32

 

 

 

 

 

1.5Benefits of the SAS Interface

SAS is a serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level device interface that leverages the proven SCSI protocol set. SAS is a convergence of the advantages of SATA II, SCSI, and fibre channel, 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 when compared to parallel SCSI.

The RAID controller leverages a common electrical and physical connection interface that is compatible with Serial ATA technology. The SAS and SATA II protocols use a thin, 7-wire connector instead of the 68-wire SCSI cable or 26-wire ATA cable. The SAS/SATA II connector and cable are easier to manipulate, allow connections to smaller devices, and do not inhibit airflow. The point-to-point SATA II architecture eliminates inherent difficulties created by the legacy ATA master-slave architecture, while maintaining compatibility with existing ATA firmware.

Benefits of the SAS Interface

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Copyright © 2006-2007 by LSI Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Contents L y 2 0 0 USER’S GuideTrademark Acknowledgment Organization AudienceMegaRAID 8480 Software User’s Guide MegaRAID 8480 Device Driver Installation User’s GuideRevision History ConventionsIBM Customer Support Web site Safety InstructionsMail PhoneWhen Working Inside Your Computer ViiiPreface Contents Chapter MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter Characteristics Figures XiiContents Tables XivContents Overview Chapter OverviewMegaRAID Battery Backup Unit User’s Guide on MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller Description General DescriptionController Limitations 4Overview Configuration ScenarioExample of LSI SAS Direct-Connect Application Physical Drives Required for Each RAID Level Number of Physical Disks SupportedBenefits of the SAS Interface Summary of MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller Characteristics PCI Express ArchitectureOperating System Support Sata II Features SAS FeaturesPCI Express Performance Usability FeaturesDrive Roaming Flexibility FeaturesDrive Migration Hardware Specifications Specifications Technical SupportMegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter Requirements Chapter MegaRAID Hardware InstallationDetailed Installation Quick InstallationReview the Controller Limitations Example of MegaRAID Board Installation in a PCI Express Slot Detailed Installation SAS Device Cables Sata II Connectors SAS and Sata II Plugs and SAS Backplane Receptacle Connector Copyright 2006-2007 by LSI Corporation. All rights reserved After Installing the Storage Adapter MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller Chapter MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter CharacteristicsCard Layout for the MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller MegaRAID 8480 RAID ControllerConnector Description Type Comments MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller ConnectorsMegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter Characteristics Technical SpecificationsMegaRAID 8480 Characteristics Storage Adapter Specifications Storage Adapter SpecificationsFault Tolerance Array Performance FeaturesArray Performance Features Fault Tolerance FeaturesSafety Characteristics Electrical CharacteristicsMaximum Power Requirements Operating and Non-operating ConditionsMegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter Characteristics Active ConfigurationTermination ArrayHost adapter HostBoard Hot spareRAID levels Peripheral devicesSAS device Stripe sizeStriping

MegaRAID 8480 specifications

The IBM MegaRAID 8480 is a high-performance RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) controller designed for enterprise-class storage environments. It delivers advanced data protection, high availability, and exceptional scalability, making it an ideal choice for businesses that require robust data management solutions.

One of the main features of the IBM MegaRAID 8480 is its support for both SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) drives, providing flexibility in storage configurations. This controller supports up to 128 devices, allowing organizations to build large, efficient storage arrays that can accommodate extensive data needs.

The MegaRAID 8480 utilizes advanced RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, enabling users to select the level of data redundancy and performance that best fits their specific requirements. The controller also supports online capacity expansion and RAID level migration, ensuring that users can seamlessly adapt their storage configurations as their business evolves.

In terms of performance, the MegaRAID 8480 is equipped with 8GB of DDR4 cache memory, which significantly enhances data access speeds and provides improved I/O performance. With the ability to process a large number of transactions simultaneously, this controller is well-suited for demanding enterprise applications, such as database management systems and virtualized environments.

To further enhance data protection, the MegaRAID 8480 features battery-backed write cache technology. This ensures that data in the cache is not lost in the event of a power failure, safeguarding critical information. Furthermore, the MegaRAID SafeStore technology offers additional protection through encryption-key management, which helps safeguard sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Another notable characteristic is the intuitive management interface provided by the MegaRAID Storage Manager software. This tool streamlines storage monitoring and enables users to easily manage their RAID configurations. Additionally, the controller supports advanced diagnostic features that assist administrators in identifying and resolving potential issues before they escalate.

The IBM MegaRAID 8480 is designed for the modern data-driven enterprise, combining performance, reliability, and scalability into a comprehensive storage solution. With its robust set of features and cutting-edge technology, it empowers organizations to enhance their data management strategies while ensuring that their critical applications remain available and secure. This makes the MegaRAID 8480 a standout choice for businesses seeking to future-proof their storage infrastructure.
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