Cisco 9500 Series PCIe Gen 4.0 Tri-Mode Storage HBA 12Gb/sSAS/SATA/PCIe (NVMe)

Designed for the demands of modern data centers, the Cisco 9500 Series PCIe Gen 4.0 Tri-Mode Storage Host Bus Adapter (HBA) delivers flexible, high-performance storage connectivity that unifies SAS, SATA, and PCIe NVMe interfaces in a single, scalable solution. This HBA is engineered to optimize data throughput, minimize latency, and simplify storage expansion across Cisco 9500 chassis and mixed-vendor environments. Whether you’re building dense NVMe-enabled arrays, extending SAS/SATA backplanes, or powering AI-driven analytics and virtualization, this storage adapter provides the reliability, compatibility, and performance required to sustain demanding enterprise workloads while reducing total cost of ownership.

• Tri-Mode storage connectivity for SAS, SATA, and PCIe NVMe devices enables versatile deployment options in mixed-workload environments. It lets you consolidate traditional spinning-disk arrays with modern SSDs and NVMe volumes, reducing cable clutter and simplifying storage architecture. With multi-path I/O and built-in protection, you can maintain high data availability and performance across diverse backplanes and enclosure designs. This flexibility is especially valuable when upgrading legacy storage, expanding capacity, or implementing tiered storage strategies that balance cost and speed without swapping adapters.
• Gen 4.0 PCIe performance that unlocks substantial bandwidth and lower latency. The PCIe Gen 4.0 interface delivers faster handshakes with NVMe devices and improved queue depths, supporting high IOPS and steady throughput for database operations, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads. The HBA’s optimized data paths and deep integration with server platforms help reduce CPU overhead, accelerate sequential and random I/O, and improve application responsiveness in demanding environments where every millisecond counts.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and data protection for mission-critical workloads. Cisco builds resilience into the 9500 Series HBA with robust error detection, parity checks, and telemetry to monitor health and predict potential failures before they impact service levels. The device supports redundant paths, hot-swapping, and seamless firmware updates, enabling maintenance windows to be completed with minimal disruption. When paired with compatible backplanes and RAID or storage controllers, this HBA contributes to a dependable storage fabric that supports uptime SLAs, rigorous backup strategies, and scalable growth over time.
• Seamless integration with Cisco ecosystems and management tools. The HBA is engineered to work smoothly within Cisco’s data center fabric, including Cisco 9500 switches and Cisco UCS environments. It supports standard management interfaces and provisioning workflows, making it easier to monitor health, push firmware updates, and perform routine maintenance through familiar Cisco tooling. This cohesive integration reduces complexity during deployment, simplifies operational oversight, and accelerates the path from installation to optimized storage performance across your Cisco-powered data center.
• Flexible deployment, expansion, and future-proofing for evolving workloads. The Tri-Mode capability positions the HBA as a long-term storage connectivity solution, enabling you to scale capacity and performance as needs shift. You can mix SAS/SATA backplanes with PCIe NVMe devices, enabling tiered caching, fast hot data paths, and efficient data movement between storage tiers. The compact PCIe form factor and standard interface simplify field upgrades and allow you to extend your existing storage footprint without major hardware redesigns, helping you stay ahead of capacity and performance demands in virtualized, cloud-connected, and AI-enabled workloads.

Technical Details of Cisco 9500 Series PCIe Gen 4.0 Tri-Mode Storage HBA 12Gb/sSAS/SATA/PCIe (NVMe)

• Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0, compatible with standard PCIe slots in servers designed to support Gen 4 hardware.
• Storage protocols supported: SAS, SATA, and PCIe NVMe devices, enabling a single adapter to bridge multiple storage types for flexible deployment.
• Throughput and latency: Optimized for high-throughput workloads with low latency; exact figures depend on the configured back-end storage and drive types.
• Form factor: PCIe add-in card designed for Cisco 9500 environments and compatible server platforms; standard mounting bracket included for secure installation.
• Reliability features: Enterprise-grade data integrity checks, support for multiple I/O paths and failover, firmware update readiness, and integration with Cisco management tools for monitoring and maintenance.

How to install Cisco 9500 Series PCIe Gen 4.0 Tri-Mode Storage HBA

To install the Tri-Mode HBA, follow these steps to ensure a safe and effective deployment. Begin with standard safety and anti-static procedures, power down the server, and disconnect all power sources before handling components. Remove the chassis cover to access available PCIe slots. Identify a suitable PCIe Gen 4.0 slot that matches the card’s slot requirements and aligns with your server’s backplane configuration. Gently insert the HBA into the slot, ensuring it seats fully and mates with the backplane contacts. Secure the bracket with a mounting screw to prevent movement. If you are connecting SAS or SATA drives, attach the appropriate backplane or direct cables to the HBA ports, routing cables to avoid obstructing fans and airflow. If you are enabling NVMe paths, verify that the server chassis and backplane support NVMe through PCIe for optimal performance. Reinstall the chassis cover, reconnect power, and power on the system. Enter the server BIOS or UEFI to confirm that the HBA is recognized and that firmware updates are applied if available. In the operating system, install any required drivers or software packages, then configure storage using your preferred storage management tools, RAID controllers, or OS-level disk management utilities. Finally, run basic health checks and performance benchmarks to validate that the HBA is functioning correctly and delivering expected throughput and latency across the SAS, SATA, and NVMe pathways.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does Tri-Mode mean? The Cisco 9500 Series PCIe Gen 4.0 Tri-Mode Storage HBA supports SAS, SATA, and PCIe NVMe devices, enabling flexible deployment across traditional HDD/SSD backplanes and modern NVMe storage—all from a single adapter.
• Q: Is this HBA compatible with Cisco 9500 Series? Yes. It is designed to work within Cisco’s storage ecosystem and is intended for deployment in Cisco 9500 Series environments, as well as compatible servers and backplanes that support PCIe Gen 4.0.
• Q: What operating systems are supported? The HBA is designed to work with common server operating systems and hypervisors; please consult Cisco’s compatibility matrix for specifics and any required drivers or firmware updates.
• Q: Do I need special management software? You can manage firmware updates and health checks via standard Cisco management tools and the server platform’s management interfaces, with optional third-party storage software depending on your environment.
• Q: Can I upgrade existing storage with this HBA? Yes. You can expand or upgrade your storage topology by adding the Tri-Mode HBA to support additional SAS/SATA backplanes or PCIe NVMe devices, enabling new capacity or performance upgrades without replacing other core components.