PCI Express* Architecture

PCI Express is a local bus system designed to increase data transfers without slowing down the central processing unit (CPU). You can install the RAID Controller SRCSAS18E in a PCI Express computer system that has a standard bracket type. With this adapter in your system, you can connect SAS and SATA devices over the bus.

PCI Express goes beyond the PCI specification in that it is intended as a unifying I/O architecture for various systems: desktops, workstations, mobile, server, communications, and embedded devices.

Operating System Support

The RAID Controller SRCSAS18E supports major operating systems, such as:

Windows 2000*, Windows Server 2003*, and Windows XP*

Red Hat* Enterprise Linux 3.0 and 4.0

SuSe* Linux 9.0 and 9 SP1

Note: The operating systems supported by this controller may not be supported by your server board. See the tested operating system list for your server board at http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/. See also the tested hardware and operating system list for the RAID Controller SRCSAS18E to make sure the RAID card supports your operating system.

Summary of SAS RAID Controller Features

This section provides a summary of the features and benefits of the SAS RAID controller. It contains information on SAS features, SATA features, PCI performance, integration, usability, and flexibility.

Features of the RAID Controller SRCSAS18E include:

Online RAID level migration

Drive migration

Drive roaming

No reboot necessary after expansion

More than 200 Qtags per array

Hardware clustering support on the board

User-specified rebuild rate

Performance up to 2.5 Gbits/s per lane, PCI Express* x8

Support for a 256 DDR2 400 MHz SDRAM DIMM portable cache module, providing battery backup of data in transit (Intel accessory AXXRPCM2)

Intel® RAID Controller SRCSAS18E User’s Guide

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Intel SRCSAS18E manual Summary of SAS RAID Controller Features, PCI Express* Architecture, Operating System Support

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.