IBM MegaRAID 8480 manual Flexibility Features, Drive Roaming

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Supports the internal SAS Sideband signal SFF-8485 (SGPIO) interface

1.6.5Flexibility Features

These features increase the flexibility of the MegaRAID 8480 RAID controller:

Supports a Flash ROM interface, a nonvolatile RAM (NVSRAM) interface, and a pipelined synchronous burst SRAM (PSBRAM) interface

Allows connections to SAS or SATA II targets

Leverages compatible connectors for SAS and SATA II connections

Allows grouping of up to four PHYs in a single quad port to form a wide port

1.6.6Drive Roaming

Drive roaming occurs when the hard drives are changed to different ports on the same controller. When the drives are placed on different channels, the controller detects the RAID configuration from the configuration data on the drives.

Configuration data is saved in both the NVRAM on the RAID controller and on the hard drives attached to the controller. This maintains the integrity of the data on each drive, even if the drives have changed their target ID.

Note: If you move a drive that is being rebuilt, the rebuild operation will restart, not resume.

Follow these steps to use drive roaming:

Step 1. Review all safety information provided with the server; then, turn off the server and all attached devices and unplug the server and device power cords.

Step 2. Open the host system, following the instructions in the host system technical documentation.

Step 3. Move the drives to different positions on the backplane to change the targets.

Summary of MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller Characteristics

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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 General Description MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller 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 PCI Express Architecture Summary of MegaRAID 8480 RAID Controller CharacteristicsOperating System Support Sata II Features SAS FeaturesPCI Express Performance Usability FeaturesDrive Roaming Flexibility FeaturesDrive Migration Hardware Specifications Technical Support SpecificationsMegaRAID 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 ConnectorsTechnical Specifications MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter CharacteristicsMegaRAID 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 devicesStripe size SAS deviceStriping

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.