Adaptec Unifies SAS And SATA

RAID Serial architecture storage

The new family of PCIe-based Unified Serial RAID controllers, which consists of 5 different products, gives system builders an unprecedented level of flexibility when building storage devices, as the new controller cards can mix and match with SAS and SATA drives and devices. System builders can configure the cards to connect directly to SAS and SATA drives by the number of ports on a card or by the number of drives connected through a storage device.

System builders also can offer a storage solution with two separate SAS and SATA devices. The SAS drives can be used for online transactions, while the SATA box can be offered as an inline storage device.

CRN tested the RAID controllers with the MD2 form factor—the Adaptec RAID 3405 controller, a first of its kind. RAID cards with low form factors are often too long to fit in a system, but the 3405 controller was able to fit in a small area without blocking hard drives or obstructing cables.

Adaptec also is providing path failover for its RAID controllers. Path failover guarantees a link between the controller and storage box. If one of the cables is disconnected, the other cable will continue to work; as long as a cable is still connected to a storage box, all the drives will be uninterrupted. This is not dynamic sharing but simply a protection of the path from a controller to storage devices.

Adaptec provides compatibility reports on all of its RAID controller configurations, ensuring product interoperability without having to first test them. These cards are extremely stable and can function in the most demanding enterprise environments.