SAS Server Board

In addition to the SATA features described above, SAS models of the server board (order code S5000VSASAS) also have a dual-mode 4-port Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) controller that supports both SAS and SATA hard disk drives. This controller is capable of data transfer rates of up to 3.0 Gbps per port.The SAS controller (in RAID mode) supports eight physical drives and eight logical arrays. The SAS controller (in native mode) supports up to 120 physical drives when expanders are used.

The BIOS Setup utility includes options on the Advanced Mass Storage setup page to enable or disable the SAS option ROM and the SAS controller. Both of these options must be enabled to use RAID.

When the SAS controller is enabled, the two black SATA ports on the server board continue to function as SATA ports. The four blue ports can be used as either SAS or SATA ports. When the SAS controller is disabled in the BIOS Setup utility, only the two black SATA ports will be available.

When the SAS option ROM is enabled in the BIOS Setup utility, Intel® Embedded Server RAID Technology II is available. This enables SAS RAID modes 0, 1, or 10 for the four blue ports on the server board. The SAS controller can mix SAS and SATA drives.

If the SAS option ROM is disabled in the BIOS Setup utility, but the SAS controller is enabled, the four blue ports on the server board continue to function as either SAS or SATA ports and the two black ports on the server board continue to function as SATA- only ports. However, RAID support is not available unless enabled in the BIOS for either SATA or SAS.

SAS server boards can use either or both of the SAS and SATA controllers. Either one or two Intel® RAID Activation Keys AXXRAKSW5 can be installed, one for the SAS controller and/or one for the SATA controller. The RAID controllers have separate configuration utilities available at boot, but they share the Intel® RAID Web Console 2 management utility.

Both SAS and SATA controllers support SGPIO enclosure management. Two SGPIO connectors are available on SAS models of the server board, one for the SAS controller and one for the SATA controller.

If RAID 5 is desired, the optional Intel® RAID Activation Key AXXRAKSW5 (available post-release) can be installed. To enable RAID 5, this activation key is placed on the SAS_Key connector that is located at the left side of the server board. For information on how to install the Intel® RAID Activation Key AXXRAKSW5 accessory to enable RAID 5, see the documentation that is included with the accessory kit.

Notes: For assistance in navigating through the BIOS Setup utility, see the Intel® Server Board S5000VSA Technical Product Specification.

For information on RAID configuration through the BIOS console and Intel® RAID Web Console 2, see the RAID Software Guide.

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Intel® Server Board S5000VSA User’s Guide

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Intel S5000VSA manual SAS Server Board

S5000VSA specifications

The Intel S5000VSA is a server motherboard that has been tailored to meet the needs of businesses requiring a reliable and scalable infrastructure. Designed for Intel's 5000 series of chipsets, this motherboard is notable for its standards in performance, flexibility, and management capabilities.

One of the standout features of the Intel S5000VSA is its support for dual Intel Xeon processors. The flexibility to utilize various Xeon chips allows organizations to select the optimal processing power for their specific workloads, whether that be database management, virtualization, or heavy computation tasks. This capability is essential for providing the high levels of performance and responsiveness businesses demand in their server environments.

The motherboard supports up to 32GB of memory using DDR2 technology, with eight DIMM slots available for expansion. This memory capacity allows for significant multitasking and resource management, essential in data-heavy server applications. The board supports both ECC (Error-Correcting Code) and non-ECC memory, offering organizations options depending on their fault tolerance needs.

In terms of connectivity, the S5000VSA comes equipped with multiple PCI Express slots, providing ample options for expandability with various I/O cards or additional network interfaces. This is particularly important as businesses grow and require additional capabilities or higher performance networking solutions.

The Intel S5000VSA is also noted for its advanced management features. Integrated Remote Management capabilities enable IT administrators to monitor and manage the system from afar, enhancing both uptime and ease of maintenance. Support for Intel’s Active Management Technology (AMT) allows for greater control over the server and improves security by enabling remote management regardless of the operating system state.

Another important aspect of the S5000VSA is its built-in RAID controller that supports several RAID levels. This feature enhances data reliability and performance, allowing users to configure their storage systems according to their needs, whether they prioritize speed or redundancy.

In summary, the Intel S5000VSA is a robust server motherboard designed with scalability, performance, and management in mind. It supports dual Xeon processors, offers extensive memory options, and provides essential features such as RAID support and remote management. This makes it a suitable choice for data centers and enterprises looking for a competitive edge through advanced technology.