IBM MegaRAID 8480 manual Audience, Organization

Page 3

Preface

This book is the primary reference and user’s guide for the LSI MegaRAID® 8480 RAID Storage Adapter. It contains installation instructions and specifications for the adapter.

For details on how to configure the storage adapter, refer to the MegaRAID 8480 Software User’s Guide. For information about the operating system drivers, refer to the MegaRAID 8480 Device Driver Installation User’s Guide.

Audience

This document assumes that you have some familiarity with RAID controllers and related support devices. The people who benefit from this book are:

Engineers who are designing a system that will include a MegaRAID 8480 SAS Storage Adapter

Anyone installing a MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter in a RAID system

Organization

This document has the following chapters and appendix:

Chapter 1, Overview, provides a general overview of the MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter.

Chapter 2, MegaRAID 8480 Hardware Installation, describes the procedures for installing the MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter.

Chapter 3, MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter Characteristics, provides the characteristics and technical specifications for the MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter.

MegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter User’s Guide

iii

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

Image 3
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 ConventionsPhone Web site Safety InstructionsIBM Customer Support MailWhen 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 Features Array Performance FeaturesFault Tolerance Array Performance FeaturesOperating and Non-operating Conditions Electrical CharacteristicsSafety Characteristics Maximum Power RequirementsMegaRAID 8480 Storage Adapter Characteristics Array ConfigurationActive TerminationHot spare HostHost adapter BoardRAID 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.