SAS Features, Sata Features, PCI Performance

•Two internal connectors

•Support for RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50

•Advanced array configuration and management utilities

•32 Kbyte NVRAM for storing RAID system configuration information; the firmware is stored in flash ROM for easy upgrades.

SAS Features

The following list describes the SAS features:

•Provides eight fully independent phys

•Each phy supports 3.0 Gbit/s and 1.5 Gbit/s SAS data transfers

•Supports SSP to enable communication with other SAS devices

•Supports SMP to communicate topology management information

•Provides a serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level storage interface

•Simplifies cabling between devices

•Provides a scalable interface that supports up to 128 devices through multiple expanders

•Supports wide ports consisting of 2, 3, or 4 phys within a single quad port

•Supports narrow ports consisting of a single phy

•Transfers data using SCSI information units

SATA Features

The following list describes the SATA features:

•Supports SATA data transfers of 3.0 Gbits/s and 1.5 Gbits/s

•Supports STP data transfers of 3.0 Gbits/s and 1.5 Gbits/s

•Provides a serial, point-to-point storage interface

•Simplifies cabling between devices

•Eliminates the master-slave construction used in parallel ATA

•Allows addressing of multiple SATA targets through an expander if using SATA 2.0- compliant hard disk drives

•Allows multiple initiators to address a single target (in a fail-over configuration) through an expander

PCI Performance

This RAID controller uses an Intel® IOP333 500 MHz I/O processor.

5	Intel® RAID Controller SRCSAS18E User’s Guide

SRCSAS18E specifications

The Intel SRCSAS18E is a robust and high-performance storage controller card designed for data-intensive applications, primarily targeted at enterprise environments. Featuring support for both Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and SATA drives, this controller brings an impressive array of features, technologies, and characteristics that enhance storage performance, reliability, and scalability.

One of the standout features of the SRCSAS18E is its capability to manage up to 18 drives simultaneously. This is achieved through the use of eight internal ports, which can connect to a wide range of SAS and SATA drives, enabling organizations to build a scalable storage architecture. The controller supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing flexibility in data management and protection strategies. This RAID functionality ensures that data can be mirrored, striped, or spread across multiple drives to enhance performance and redundancy, which is crucial for minimizing downtime.

The SRCSAS18E incorporates advanced technologies such as Intel's RAID Response Technology, which allows for enhanced data protection and recovery options. This technology facilitates faster rebuilding of arrays in the event of a drive failure, significantly reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, the controller includes battery-backed cache memory, which helps to ensure data integrity and performance by providing temporary storage during write operations, even in case of power loss.

For seamless integration with current infrastructure, the SRCSAS18E supports PCI Express interface. It offers up to 6 Gb/s data transfer rates per port, optimizing data throughput and overall system performance. This high-speed connectivity is essential for applications that require rapid access to vast amounts of data, including virtualization and high-performance computing tasks.

The controller also features compatibility with various operating systems and server platforms, enhancing its versatility. Organizations can take advantage of plug-and-play functionality, allowing for easier deployment and management in diverse IT environments.

Furthermore, the SRCSAS18E is built with enterprise-grade reliability in mind, supporting features like thermal monitoring and advanced error correction to safeguard against hardware failures. Its ability to manage a large number of drives effectively makes it an ideal solution for data centers and enterprises looking to enhance their storage solutions while ensuring maximum uptime and data availability.

In summary, the Intel SRCSAS18E is a feature-rich storage controller well-suited for demanding environments that require reliable and efficient data management. Its combination of high performance, support for multiple RAID configurations, and robust data protection technologies makes it a valuable addition to any enterprise storage infrastructure.