AOC-USAS-L8i Add-on Card User’s Manual

7-2 IM and IME Features

IM and IME support the following features:

Configurations of one or two IM or IME volumes on the same SAS controller. IM volumes have two mirrored disks; IME volumes have three to ten mirrored disks. Two volumes can have up to 12 disks total. (Requires Integrated RAID firmware v1.20.00 or above.)

One or two global hot spare disks per controller, to automatically replace failed disks in IM/IME volumes. (Support for two hot spares requires Integrated RAID firmware v1.20.00 or above.) The hot spares are in addition to the 12-disk maximum for two volumes per SAS controller.

Mirrored volumes run in optimal mode or in degraded mode (if one mirrored disk fails).

Hot swap capability.

Presents a single virtual drive to the OS for each IM/IME volume.

Supports both SAS and SATA disks. The two types of disks cannot be combined in the same volume. However, an SAS controller can support one volume with SATA disks and a second volume with SAS disks.

Fusion-MPT architecture.

Easy-to-use BIOS-based configuration utility.

Error notification: the drivers update an OS-specific event log.

SES status LED support.

Write journaling, which allows automatic synchronization of potentially inconsistent data after unexpected power-down situations.

Metadata used to store volume configuration on mirrored disks.

Automatic background resynchronization while host I/Os continue.

Background media verification ensures that data on IM/IME volumes is always accessible.

7-3 IM/IME Description

The Integrated RAID solution supports one or two IM/IME volumes on each SAS controller (or one IM/IME volume and one Integrated Striping volume). Typically, one of these volumes is the boot volume, as shown in Figure 7-1. Boot support is available through the firmware of the SAS controller that supports the standard Fusion-MPT interface. The runtime mirroring of the boot disk is transparent to the BIOS, drivers, and operating system. Host-based status software monitors the state of the mirrored disks and reports any error conditions. Figure 7-1shows an IM implementation with a second disk as a mirror of the first (primary) disk.

7-2

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SUPER MICRO Computer AOCS2308LL8E user manual IM and IME Features, IM/IME Description

AOCS2308LL8E specifications

Supermicro, a renowned leader in high-performance computing solutions, has introduced the AOC-S2308LL8E, a powerful SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) controller card designed to enhance storage performance and capability in enterprise systems. This cutting-edge controller provides exceptional functionality for organizations looking to handle large volumes of data efficiently.

The AOC-S2308LL8E features the LSI SAS2308 dual-core processor, which supports 12Gb/s data transfer rates, ensuring swift and reliable connections to storage devices. With its eight internal SAS/SATA ports, this controller card facilitates the connection of multiple drives, allowing for increased data throughput and redundancy, which are essential for critical applications such as database management and virtualization.

One of the standout characteristics of the AOC-S2308LL8E is its compatibility with both SAS and SATA drives. This flexibility allows organizations to choose between high-performance SAS drives or more economical SATA drives based on their specific storage requirements. The controller supports a wide array of RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing users with the ability to select configurations that enhance data integrity and availability.

Additionally, the card is designed with an advanced cache memory that optimizes data access times, further enhancing overall performance. The AOC-S2308LL8E also features a low-profile form factor, making it suitable for various server chassis configurations, even in space-constrained environments.

In terms of connectivity, the AOC-S2308LL8E is equipped with dual mini-SAS connectors, enabling seamless connectivity to multiple storage devices. With support for a high number of simultaneous I/O operations, this controller card is well-suited for tasks requiring substantial bandwidth, like large-scale data processing and analytics.

Moreover, Supermicro's AOC-S2308LL8E comes with robust management and monitoring features, ensuring that users can maintain optimal performance levels while responding proactively to any potential issues. Built-in support for advanced error recovery techniques helps guarantee data integrity, a feature critical in any enterprise setting.

To summarize, the Supermicro AOC-S2308LL8E is an ideal solution for businesses looking to enhance their storage capabilities. With its combination of high data transfer rates, RAID support, compatibility with various storage drive types, and advanced management features, the AOC-S2308LL8E stands out as a reliable choice for maximizing performance in demanding environments. Organizations investing in this controller will benefit from its efficiency, reliability, and scalability, crucial for future-proofing their IT infrastructure.