User`s guide

Chapter 4: Installing the SATA/SAS Controller and Disk Drives l21
2 Use internal SAS cables to connect the disk drives to the SATA/SAS controller.
Note:
SAS fan-out cables are also available with an additional sideband (SFF-8448) cable that
carries SGPIO signals for enclosure management. This additional sideband cable is not used with
direct-attached disk drives.
3
When you have installed and connected all disk drives to the SATA/SAS controller, close
your computer cabinet, and reconnect the power cord.
Connecting to a Backplane
In a backplane connection, disk drives and SATA/SAS controllers are connected to and
communicate with each other through a backplane. An alternate method of backplane
connection, the SATA/SAS controller can also be connected with backplane along with
expanders.
The number of disk drives is limited to the number of slots available on the backplane. Some
backplanes have embedded SAS expanders and can support up to 128 end devices.
1 Install one or more internal SAS or SATA disk drives in to the backplane. Refer to your
backplane’s documentation for more information.
2 Use an internal or external SAS cable to connect the SATA/SAS controller to the backplane.
3 When all internal disk drives have been installed and connected, close your computer
cabinet, reconnect the power cord.
Disk drives
on backplane
Controller
connected to
backplane