3.2Configuring the drive

Each drive on the Serial ATA interface connects in a point-to-point configuration with the Serial ATA host adapter. There is no master/slave relationship because each drive is considered a master in a point-to-point relationships. If two drives are attached on one Serial ATA host adapter, the host operating system views the two devices as if they were both “masters” on two separate ports. This means both drives behave as if they are Device 0 (master) devices.

Serial ATA drives are designed for easy installation. It is usually not necessary to set any jumpers on the drive for proper operation; however, if you connect the drive and receive a “drive not detected” error, your SATA- equipped motherboard or host adapter may use a chipset that does not support SATA speed autonegotiation. If you have a motherboard or host adapter that does not support autonegotiation:

•Install a jumper as shown in Figure 2 below to limit the data transfer rate to 1.5 Gbits per second (and leave the drive connected to the SATA-equipped motherboard or host adapter that doesn’t support autonegotiation) or

•Install a SATA host adapter that supports autonegotiation, leave the drive jumper block set to “Normal operation” (see Figure 2 below), and connect the drive to that adapter. This option has the benefit of not limiting the drive to a 1.5 Gbits/sec transfer rate.

Normal operation

Limit data transfer rate to 1.5 Gbits per second

Jumper block

SATA power connector

SATA interface connector

Figure 2. Jumper options

3.3Serial ATA cables and connectors

The Serial ATA interface cable consists of four conductors in two differential pairs, plus three ground connec- tions. The cable size may be 30 to 26 AWG with a maximum length of one meter (39.37 inches). See Table 4 for connector pin definitions. Either end of the SATA signal cable can be attached to the drive or host.

For direct backplane connection, the drive connectors are inserted directly into the host receptacle. The drive and the host receptacle incorporate features that enable the direct connection to be hot pluggable and blind mateable.

For installations which require cables, you can connect the drive as illustrated in Figure 3.

Signal connector

Power connector

Signal cable

Power cable

Figure 3. Attaching SATA cabling

Each cable is keyed to ensure correct orientation. NL35 Series 7200.2 Serial ATA drives support latching SATA connectors.

16

NL35 Series 7200.2 SATA Product Manual, Rev. C

Page 21 Page 23
Page 22
Image 22
Seagate ST3500841NS, ST3500641NS manual Configuring the drive, Serial ATA cables and connectors
Page 21 Page 23

ST3500641NS, ST3500841NS specifications

The Seagate ST3500841NS and ST3500641NS are robust hard drives specifically designed for enterprise environments, catering to the demanding needs of data centers, server farms, and storage solutions. These drives are part of Seagate's enterprise series and reflect a commitment to reliability, performance, and capacity.

One of the main features of the ST3500841NS and ST3500641NS is their impressive storage capacity. The ST3500841NS offers 500GB of storage, while the ST3500641NS provides a slightly lower capacity at 640GB. Both drives utilize a standard 3.5-inch form factor, making them suitable for a variety of server and storage configurations. They operate at a high spindle speed of 7200 RPM, which contributes to faster data access and overall improved performance compared to traditional 5400 RPM drives.

These drives are designed to sustain high workloads and feature a mean time between failures (MTBF) rating that ensures reliability over extended periods of operation. With their enhanced error correction capabilities, data integrity is maintained even under heavy loads, making these drives ideal for use in critical applications where data loss is not an option.

The integration of technologies such as Native Command Queuing (NCQ) enhances the performance of these drives in multi-user environments. NCQ allows the drive to optimize the order of read and write commands, reducing latency and improving overall throughput. Furthermore, the ST3500841NS and ST3500641NS both feature an SATA interface, supporting speeds of up to 3.0 Gb/s, which is the standard for modern storage solutions.

Another noteworthy characteristic of these drives is their energy efficiency. Despite their robust performance, the ST3500841NS and ST3500641NS are designed to consume less power, thereby reducing operational costs and contributing to a more sustainable data center environment.

In summary, the Seagate ST3500841NS and ST3500641NS are purpose-built for enterprise applications, offering a blend of capacity, performance, and reliability. Their advanced technologies, coupled with impressive MTBF ratings and energy efficiency, make them suitable for critical applications in various high-demand environments. Whether utilized in small server systems or large-scale data centers, these drives provide the robust performance that businesses require in today’s data-driven landscape.
Top Page Image Contents