Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide Intel Order Number: E33625-003
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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.
iv Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide
Table of Contents Preface ........................................................................................................................ iii Audience ............................................................................................................................... iii Organization ......................................................................................................................... iii Related Publication .............................................................
vi Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide
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..........................................................
viii Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide
List of Tables Table 1. Jumper Descriptions ..................................................................................................11 Table 2. Specifications ............................................................................................................12 Table 3. Array Performance Features .....................................................................................13 Table 4. Fault Tolerance Features ..........................................................................
x Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User’s Guide
1 Overview This chapter provides a general overview of the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I. It consists of the following sections: • Summary of SAS RAID Controller Features • Benefits of Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) The Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I is a high-performance PCI Express* SAS RAID controller. It provides reliability, high performance, and fault-tolerant disk subsystem management.
The SAS controller supports the ANSI Serial-attached SCSI (SAS) Standard, Version 1.0. In addition, the controller supports the Serial ATA (SATA) protocol defined by the Serial ATA Specification, Version 1.0a. The SAS controller is a versatile controller that supports both the SAS and SATA interfaces and provides the backbone of both server and high-end workstation environments. Protocols supported include: • Serial SCSI Protocol (SSP): Communication with other SAS devices.
• Auto-resume of initialization or rebuild on reboot (the auto rebuild feature must be enabled before virtual disk creation). • Smart initialization automatically checks consistency of virtual disks if there are five or more disks in a RAID 5 array, which optimizes performance by enabling readmodify-write mode. RAID 5 arrays of only three or overdrives use peer read mode. • • • • Smart Technology predicts failures of drives and electronic components. Commands are retried at least four times.
• Allows addressing of multiple SATA targets through an expander if using SATA 2.0compliant hard disk drives. • Allows multiple initiators to address a single target (in a fail-over configuration) through an expander. Operating System Support The Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I supports major operating systems, including: • Microsoft Windows Server 2008*, Microsoft Windows Server 2003*, and Microsoft Windows XP* • Red Hat* Enterprise Linux 4.0 and 5.
2 Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware Installation This chapter describes the procedures used to install the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I with internal connectors. Requirements The following items are required to install a Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I: • • • • • An Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I. A host system with an available x4 bi-directional PCI Express* slot. The Resource CD, which contains drivers and documentation. The cables provided with the RAID controller.
Installing the RAID Controller To install the RAID Controller, follow these steps: 1. Power off the computer, all drives, enclosures, and system components. Remove the power cord from the computer. 2. Remove the chassis cover and access the PCI Express add-in card slots. For instructions, see your server chassis documentation. 3. Align the controller’s connector with a x4 PCI Express* slot on the server board. 4.
5. Connect the SAS/SATA cables from the backplane (or hard drives) to the RAID Controller. Make sure the cables are properly connected to the controller. 2 Ports 0-3 Ports 4-7 1 Figure 2. Attaching cables to the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Note: System throughput problems can occur if the SAS cables that come with the RAID controller are not used. To minimize the potential for problems: — Use cables no longer than ten meters for SAS and one meter for SATA.
10. Watch the boot process until you see a BIOS message to inform you of the key combination to press to enter the Intel® Embedded Server RAID Technology II Configuration Utility. A message similar to the following appears: Press + to run the Intel® Embedded Server RAID Technology II Configuration Utility. This message times out after several seconds. If you miss it, you will pass the option to get into the Intel® Embedded Server RAID Technology II Configuration Utility.
Connecting the Cables This section describes the cables used on the SAS controller and provides instructions for connecting SAS and SATA hard disk drives to the SAS RAID controller. Note: Use only “straight” SAS cables, not “cross-over” SAS cables. The cable supplied with the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I is for SATA drives or a SAS backplane connection. A SATA connector consists of a signal connector and a power connector.
Replacing a Controller To replace a failed controller, follow these steps: 1. Power off the computer, all drives, enclosures, and system components. Remove the power cord. 2. Remove the chassis cover and access the PCI Express* add-in card slots. For instructions, see your server documentation. 3. Disconnect the cable(s) from the RAID controller. 4. Remove the failed controller from the system. 5. Insert the replacement controller into the system. For instructions, see “Installing the RAID Controller”.
3 Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Characteristics This chapter describes the characteristics of the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I. Figure 4 displays the connectors and headers on the controller and Table 1 describes them. J3 J1 J2 J4 J9 Ports 4-7 Ports 0-3 AF002652 Figure 4. Card Layout s Table 1. Jumper Descriptions Jumper Description Type Comments J1 Drive Fault LED header 8x2 header LED signal to control front panel LEDs to reflect the faulty drive.
Table 1. Jumper Descriptions Jumper Description Type Comments J7 Internal SAS/SATA port connector, ports 0-3 SFF8087 Connection to SAS/SATA devices. J9 Keyed I2C connector 3-pin connector Out-of-band enclosure management (SES2) Technical Specifications The design and implementation of the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I minimizes electromagnetic emissions, susceptibility to radio frequency energy, and the effects of electrostatic discharge.
Array Performance Features Table 3 lists the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I array performance features. Table 3. Array Performance Features Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Specification PCI Express* Host Data Transfer Rate 2.5 Gigabit/s per lane Drive Data Transfer Rate 3 Gigabit/s per lane Maximum Scatter/Gathers 26 elements Maximum Size of I/O Requests 6.
Table 4. Fault Tolerance Features Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Specification Drive Rebuild Using Hot Spares • • Automatic at drive failure Auto-resume of initialization or rebuild on reboot Error Checking and Indication • • Parity generation and checking, automatic consistency checking Activity and fault LEDs Power Conservation Staggered spin-up, lower power requirements. Electrical Characteristics This section provides the power requirements for the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I.
The design and implementation minimizes electromagnetic emissions, susceptibility to radio frequency energy, and the effects of electrostatic discharge. The adapter carries the CE mark, C-tick mark, FCC self-certification logo, Canadian compliance statement, Korean MIC, Taiwan BSMI, and Japan VCCI. The adapter meets the requirements of CISPR Class B. This adapter matches the description in CCSA C22.2, No. 60950-1, UL60950-1 First Edition listed accessory, UL filenumber E257743.
A Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations BIOS Basic Input/Output System. Software that provides basic read/write capability. Usually kept as firmware (ROM based). The system BIOS on a server board is used to boot and control the system. The BIOS on your host adapter acts as an extension of the system BIOS.
SAS Serial-attached SCSI. A serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level device interface that leverages the proven SCSI protocol set. The SAS interface provides improved performance, simplified cabling, smaller connections, lower pin count, and lower power requirements when compared to parallel SCSI. SAS controllers leverage a common electrical and physical connection interface that is compatible with Serial ATA. The SAS controllers support the ANSI Serial Attached SCSI standard, version 1.0.
