Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 930-16i 8GB Flash PCIe 12Gb Adapter

The ThinkSystem RAID 930-16i is a high‑performance internal 12 Gbps SAS RAID controller designed to accelerate enterprise workloads with a RAID‑on‑Chip (ROC) architecture. This PCIe-based adapter combines sophisticated data protection, rapid I/O processing, and a robust cache to deliver low latency, high throughput, and exceptional rebuild performance for demanding databases, virtualization environments, and dense storage deployments. With 8GB of flash cache, global and dedicated hot spare support, and an expansive set of RAS and management features, the RAID 930‑16i is engineered to maximize uptime, simplify administration, and scale with growing storage needs in data centers and enterprise server rooms.

• Ultra‑fast 12 Gbps SAS connectivity: The RAID 930‑16i provides interoperable 12 Gbps SAS support that enables high throughputs across large storage arrays while reducing host CPU overhead. This enables sustained performance for multi‑drive configurations, large sequential transfers, and latency‑sensitive workloads.
• Extensive RAID level support for flexible configurations: With native support for RAID 0, 1, 10, 5, 50, 6, and 60, you gain the flexibility to optimize for throughput, fault tolerance, and total cost of ownership. Use mirrored arrays for hot data, parity layouts for capacity, or dual/eraser‑safe configurations to meet stringent service level objectives.
• 8GB flash cache for accelerated performance: The embedded 8GB flash cache dramatically improves read and write I/O, boosts random I/O performance, and shortens rebuild times after disk failures. The caching tier helps ensure consistent latency under mixed workloads, virtualization bursts, and high‑demand applications.
• Robust RAS and hot spare capabilities: The controller supports both global and dedicated hot spares, with revertible hot spare options to minimize downtime and shorten recovery. Automated rebuilds and proactive error handling contribute to higher data availability and smoother maintenance windows.
• Enterprise management and Lenovo ecosystem integration: Seamless alignment with the Lenovo ThinkSystem management framework enables streamlined firmware updates, health monitoring, alerting, and integration with familiar enterprise tooling for scalable administration across fleets of servers.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 930-16i

• Storage controller type: RAID‑on‑Chip (ROC) internal 12 Gbps SAS controller designed for server‑class storage acceleration and data protection.
• Interface and form factor: Internal PCIe‑based card that slots into a server motherboard chassis, providing dedicated SAS connectivity to drives and enclosures.
• Cache memory: 8GB of flash cache to speed data access, reduce latency, and improve rebuild performance during drive failures or maintenance windows.
• Supported RAID levels: 0/1/5/6/10/50/60, enabling a wide range of performance‑versus‑resilience configurations to satisfy varied workloads and budgets.
• Hot spare architecture: Global and dedicated hot spare support with revertible hot spare capability to minimize downtime and expedite recovery after drive faults.
• RAS features: Advanced reliability, availability, and serviceability features including error detection, data integrity checks, and robust failover support for continuous access to data.

How to install Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 930-16i

• Power down the server, unplug power cables, and discharge static electricity before handling hardware components.
• Open the chassis and locate an appropriate PCIe slot that meets the card’s interface requirements. Remove the slot cover if needed.
• Insert the RAID 930‑16i into the PCIe slot, ensuring a firm, full engagement, and secure the card with the mounting screw provided by the chassis.
• Connect the SAS cables from the server backplane or expansion backplanes to the card’s SAS connectors according to the server’s cabling plan, following the reference diagrams in the server manual.
• Power on the system and enter the RAID controller’s BIOS/management interface during POST to configure arrays. Create the desired logical volumes, assign disk members, and set preferred redundancy levels.
• Install or update the appropriate drivers and firmware through Lenovo’s supported tools, perform a health check, and tailor alerting thresholds to your environment for proactive monitoring.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 930-16i? A: It is an internal 12 Gbps SAS RAID controller (ROC) designed for servers, delivering high performance, robust data protection, and flexible RAID configurations to support enterprise storage needs.
• Q: Which RAID levels are supported? A: The controller supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, enabling a spectrum of performance and resiliency options for different workloads and budgets.
• Q: How much cache memory does it include? A: It includes 8GB of flash cache to accelerate data access, enhance read/write performance, and speed rebuilds in case of drive faults.
• Q: Does it offer hot spare functionality? A: Yes. The RAID 930-16i provides global and dedicated hot spare options with revertible hot spare support to minimize downtime and streamline recovery.
• Q: Is it compatible with Lenovo ThinkSystem servers? A: Yes. The card is designed to integrate with Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and management tools, enabling streamlined deployment, firmware management, health monitoring, and centralized administration.
• Q: What workloads is this card best suited for? A: It is ideal for enterprise databases, virtualization platforms, analytical workloads, and dense storage configurations that require reliable performance, scalable capacity, and strong data protection.