Description
Intel RAID Controller RS3WC080
Engineered for enterprise reliability and rapid data access, the Intel RS3WC080 RAID controller is designed to maximize storage productivity in servers, workstations, and storage arrays. Built around the robust LSI3008 IOC-based engine, this card delivers hardware RAID capabilities with support for 12Gb/s SAS and 6Gb/s SATA drives, enabling you to mix drive types without sacrificing performance or protection. The RS3WC080 supports a comprehensive set of RAID levels — 0, 1, 10 and hybrid 5/50 — so you can tailor redundancy and throughput to your workload, from high-throughput video editing to transactional databases. With eight internal ports and a flexible MD2 Low Profile half-length form factor, it fits a wide range of chassis, from compact 1U servers to dense blade enclosures, while including both full-height and low-profile brackets for simple installation. This controller is designed for maximum reliability and uptime; features like hardware-accelerated RAID calculations reduce CPU overhead, while robust data integrity features help safeguard critical assets. Whether you’re expanding an existing storage pool, building a new hybrid array, or upgrading a legacy server, RS3WC080 provides scalable performance, straightforward management, and a quiet operational profile suited for data centers, virtualization hosts, media studios, and backup targets.
- Fast, flexible storage — 12Gb/s SAS compatibility with 6Gb/s SATA support enables you to build mixed-drive arrays without compromising performance, giving you the flexibility to leverage existing drives while planning future upgrades.
- Flexible RAID options — Supports 0, 1, 10 and hybrid RAID 5/50, offering a spectrum of performance and protection strategies to match diverse workloads, from streaming media to mission-critical databases.
- Hardware-accelerated efficiency — The LSI3008 IOC-based engine delivers hardware RAID calculations, reducing host CPU load and providing consistent write-back caching, faster rebuilds, and improved overall system responsiveness.
- High-bandwidth, scalable interface — PCIe 3.0 x8 delivers ample bandwidth for data-intensive operations, enabling smooth multi-drive throughput, larger stripe configurations, and faster cache utilization in complex arrays.
- Versatile form factor and brackets — MD2 Low Profile half-length design with eight internal ports, plus both full-height installed and low-profile brackets, ensures easy integration across a wide range of chassis and server configurations.
Technical Details of Intel RAID Controller RS3WC080
- Interface: 12Gb/s SAS and 6Gb/s SATA support for mixed-drive environments
- Controller engine: LSI3008 IOC-based entry-RAID controller
- RAID levels: 0, 1, 10 and hybrid 5/50
- Ports: 8 internal ports
- Form factor: MD2 Low Profile, half-length; includes full-height installed bracket and low-profile bracket
- Interface speed: PCIe 3.0 x8
- Target application: Suitable for server, workstation, and storage arrays requiring reliable hardware RAID
How to install Intel RAID Controller RS3WC080
- Prepare your system: Power down, unplug the power supply, and open the chassis to access the PCIe slots. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge and ensure you have the correct screwdriver for securing the card.
- Insert the card: Locate an available PCIe x8 slot that aligns with the card’s length and clearance. Gently insert the RS3WC080 until it seats firmly, then fasten the bracket with the appropriate screws to secure the card in place.
- Connect drives and backplane: Attach SAS and SATA cables as required to the backplane or directly to drives. Route cables neatly to avoid obstructing fans or other components, and ensure that the cabling supports airflow for cooling efficiency.
- Power and firmware: Reconnect power, power on the host, and enter the system BIOS/UEFI to confirm the RAID controller is detected. If needed, update the firmware and management software to the latest version recommended by the vendor.
- Configure and test: Boot into the operating system, install the RAID management utility, create the desired arrays (RAID 0/1/10 or hybrid 5/50), initialize disks, and perform a thorough health check and performance test to verify array integrity and throughput.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the RS3WC080 compatible with my server corner case? The RS3WC080 is designed for standard PCIe servers with an available x8 slot and internal SAS/SATA backplanes. It fits a range of chassis sizes thanks to its MD2 Low Profile half-length form factor and the included brackets for both full-height and low-profile installations.
- What RAID levels does it support? It supports 0, 1, 10 and hybrid RAID 5/50, providing a balance of performance and redundancy suitable for everyday workloads as well as more demanding data-protection scenarios.
- What kind of performance can I expect? With a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface and hardware RAID offloads via the LSI3008 engine, you’ll experience reduced host CPU usage, faster rebuilds, and improved consistency under mixed workloads, especially in environments with SAS drives.
- Are brackets included for different chassis profiles? Yes. The RS3WC080 ships with a full-height installed bracket and a low-profile bracket to support MD2 low-profile installations, delivering flexible deployment options across 1U, 2U, and compact form-factor servers.
- Do I need special drivers or software? You’ll typically use the vendor’s RAID management utilities to configure and monitor arrays. Install the recommended drivers and management software during or after OS installation to ensure full control and monitoring capabilities.
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