Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide 9
Connecting the Cables
This section describes the cables used on the SAS controller and provides instructions for
connecting SAS and SATA hard disk drives to the SAS RAID controller.
Note: Use only “straight” SAS cables, not “cross-over” SAS cables.
The cable supplied with the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I is for SATA drives or a
SAS backplane connection.
A SATA connector consists of a signal connector and a power connector. The SAS
connector adds a bridge (primary physical link) between the signal connector and the
power connector. This means SAS backplane connectors can accept either drive type, but
SATA backplane connectors can ONLY accept SATA drives. Figure3 shows these
connectors.
Figure 3. SAS and SATA Plugs and SAS Backplane Connector
Configuring the Storage Adapter
After installing the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I, you must configure the storage
adapter and install the operating system driver. The Intel® IT/IR RAID Intel® IT/IR RAID
Software User’s Guide instructs you on the configuration options and how to set them on
your Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I, and provides detailed installation instructions for
operating system drivers.