Cisco 8-Port SAS Controller

The Cisco 8-Port SAS Controller delivers scalable, reliable storage performance with eight internal SAS ports and Serial ATA/300 transfer speeds. It supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 to protect data while maximizing throughput, making it ideal for databases, virtualization, and dense storage arrays in Cisco-friendly environments. Built to withstand demanding workloads and designed for straightforward integration, this controller helps you optimize drive utilization, reduce latency, and expand storage capacity without overhauling your existing infrastructure.

• Performance and efficiency: Eight internal SAS ports enable parallel I/O across multiple drives, unlocking higher aggregate throughput for sequential workloads, large file transfers, and heavy multi-user access. The Serial ATA/300 interface ensures predictable latency and sustained data rates, keeping applications responsive even during peak periods.
• RAID versatility: The controller supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, giving you flexible options to balance performance, capacity, and protection. Whether you’re maximizing speed for scratch data, ensuring redundancy for mission-critical databases, or optimizing storage efficiency for mixed workloads, this controller provides adaptable RAID configurations to suit your needs.
• Scalability and reliability: With eight ports and a compact footprint, it’s easy to scale storage density in existing servers and backplanes. The design emphasizes dependable operation in enterprise environments, helping minimize downtime and simplify ongoing maintenance as your data footprint grows.
• Management and integration: Seamlessly integrates with Cisco storage ecosystems and standard SATA/SAS drives, simplifying deployment and ongoing management. Centralized monitoring and compatibility with common server management tools enable consistent configuration, easier health checks, and straightforward firmware updates.
• Design and compatibility: The internal SAS port configuration supports dense drive layouts in servers and chassis, enabling scalable storage expansion without requiring a full platform replacement. Its compatibility with typical enterprise drives and Cisco-friendly workflows makes it a practical upgrade for growing data centers.

Technical Details of Cisco 8-Port SAS Controller

• Interface: Serial ATA/300 (SATA/300) controller type delivering faster data transfer
• Ports: 8 internal SAS ports to connect drives within a server or storage backplane
• RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 10 supported for flexible protection and performance options
• Form factor / integration: Internal SAS controller intended for enterprise servers and storage chassis
• Data throughput: Optimized for sustained I/O performance across multi-drive configurations
• Compatibility: Designed to work with standard SATA/SAS drives and Cisco storage environments

How to install Cisco 8-Port SAS Controller

• Power down the host system and disconnect from power to prevent electrical damage.
• Open the chassis and locate a suitable expansion slot or interface compatible with the controller.
• Insert the controller into the available slot and secure the bracket with a screw to ensure solid grounding.
• Reconnect power, then attach SAS cables or backplane connections to the eight internal ports and your drive backplane.
• Power on the system and enter the server’s RAID/BIOS configuration utility to initialize the controller and configure your first array (RAID 0, 1, 5, or 10).
• Install any required drivers or management software as directed by Cisco, then verify drive visibility, array health, and performance baseline with a quick benchmark or consistency check.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco 8-Port SAS Controller best used for? A: It provides eight internal SAS ports and SATA/300 data transfer with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support, ideal for expanding storage capacity while protecting data in servers and backplanes.
• Q: Which RAID levels are supported, and what are typical use cases? A: RAID 0 offers performance without redundancy; RAID 1 provides mirror protection; RAID 5 balances capacity, fault tolerance, and throughput; RAID 10 combines high performance with redundancy for critical workloads like databases and virtualization.
• Q: Is this controller compatible with non-Cisco servers? A: It is designed to integrate with standard SATA/SAS drives and typical enterprise backplanes; check your server’s compatibility matrix and firmware requirements to ensure proper operation.
• Q: Do I need special software to manage drives and arrays? A: Most management tasks can be performed via the host BIOS/RAID configuration utility; Cisco may provide additional firmware and drivers to optimize performance and monitoring within your environment.
• Q: What operating systems are supported? A: OS support typically depends on driver availability; consult Cisco’s compatibility guides or the driver download page for the exact OS versions supported when pairing this controller with your server.