Intel SASMF8I - RAID Controller Installation manual

Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware
User’s Guide
Intel Order Number: E33625-003

ii Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide
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Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide iii
Preface
This is the primary reference and user’s guide for the Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I,
which can be used for SAS and SATA II disk drives. It contains installation instructions
and specifications.
For details on how to configure the storage adapters, and for an overview of the software
drivers, see the Intel®IT/IR RAID Software User’s Guide on the Resource CD.
Audience
This document assumes that you have some familiarity with storage disk controllers,
RAID technology, and related support devices. The people who benefit from this book
are:
• Engineers who are designing an Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I for a system.
• Anyone installing an Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I in a software RAID system.
Organization
This document includes the following chapters and appendixes:
• Chapter 1 provides a general overview of the Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I.
• Chapter 2 describes the procedures for installing the Intel®RAID Controller
SASMF8I.
• Chapter 3 provides the characteristics and technical specifications for the Intel®
RAID Controller SASMF8I.
• Appendix A lists and explains the terms and abbreviations used in this manual.
Related Publication
The Intel®IT/IR RAID Software User’s Guide on the Resource CD that is included with
the RAID controller.

iv Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide

Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide v
Table of Contents
Preface ........................................................................................................................iii
Audience ............................................................................................................................... iii
Organization ......................................................................................................................... iii
Related Publication ............................................................................................................... iii
Chapter 1: Overview ................................................................................................... 1
Summary of SAS RAID Controller Features ..........................................................................1
Usability .........................................................................................................................2
Redundancy and Error Handling ...................................................................................2
SAS and SATA Features ...............................................................................................3
Operating System Support ............................................................................................4
Benefits of Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) ................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware Installation ....................... 5
Requirements ........................................................................................................................5
Installing the RAID Controller ................................................................................................6
Connecting the Cables ..........................................................................................................9
Configuring the Storage Adapter ...........................................................................................9
Replacing a Controller .........................................................................................................10
Chapter 3: Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I Characteristics ................................ 11
Technical Specifications ......................................................................................................12
Array Performance Features .......................................................................................13
Fault Tolerance ............................................................................................................13
Electrical Characteristics .............................................................................................14
Thermal and Atmospheric Characteristics ...................................................................14
Safety Characteristics ..................................................................................................14
A Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ................................................................ 16

vi Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide

Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide vii
List of Figures
Figure 1. Inserting the Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I into a
PCI Express* Slot...................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2. Attaching cables to the Intel®RAID Controller SASMF8I .......................................... 7
Figure 3. SAS and SATA Plugs and SAS Backplane Connector .............................................. 9
Figure 4. Card Layouts............................................................................................................ 11

viii Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide

Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide ix
List of Tables
Table 1. Jumper Descriptions ..................................................................................................11
Table 2. Specifications ............................................................................................................12
Table 3. Array Performance Features .....................................................................................13
Table 4. Fault Tolerance Features ..........................................................................................13
Table 5. Electrical Characteristics ...........................................................................................14

xIntel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide