Microchip Adaptec 24G SAS/SATA/NVMe PCIe Gen 4 RAID Adapter

Powerful, flexible, and built for the most demanding data centers, the Microchip Adaptec 24G SAS/SATA/NVMe PCIe Gen 4 RAID Adapter delivers Tri-Mode capability that unifies SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives on a single PCIe Gen 4 card. Engineered around the fifth-generation SmartROC 3200 storage controller, this adapter is designed for server OEMs, storage systems, data centers, and enterprise environments that require high throughput, reliable data protection, and scalable storage architectures. With the SmartRAID 3258-16i/e lineage, it combines cutting-edge hardware with robust RAID features to keep storage arrays performing optimally under heavy workloads, while maintaining easy management and quick deployment in dense rack deployments.

• Tri-Mode versatility for SAS/SATA/NVMe drives: Combine mixed drive types in a single RAID card to optimize performance and cost, enabling tiered storage strategies and streamlined expansion without swapping controllers or chassis. This makes it ideal for hybrid workloads, large-scale databases, media rendering, and virtualization environments that demand flexible storage configurations.
• PCIe Gen 4 performance for data-intensive workloads: The adapter leverages PCIe Gen 4 bandwidth to maximize throughput and reduce I/O bottlenecks, delivering sustained read/write speeds that help accelerate analytics, backups, and log-heavy applications. With a design optimized for enterprise-scale deployments, you can scale I/O as data grows.
• SmartRAID 3258-16i/e architecture powered by SmartROC 3200: Built on Microchip’s proven controller line, this card benefits from mature firmware, advanced cache management, and reliable RAID operations. The integration enables consistent latency, predictable performance, and robust data protection across complex storage arrays.
• 16 internal ports for dense storage configurations: The 16i design supports compact, high-density server configurations. Perfect for storage servers, back-end arrays, and high-capacity enclosure backplanes, it helps maximize rack space while delivering scalable performance for growing workloads.
• Enterprise-grade features and reliability: Expect hot-swap drive support, battery-backed cache options, online capacity expansion, and centralized management. These capabilities reduce maintenance windows, enhance data protection, and simplify firmware updates across large fleets of storage devices.

Technical Details of Microchip Adaptec 24G SAS/SATA/NVMe PCIe Gen 4 RAID Adapter

• Controller family: SmartROC 3200 (5th generation) powering the SmartRAID features and firmware
• Drive support: Tri-Mode SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives on a single PCIe Gen 4 card
• Host interface: PCIe Gen 4 connectivity to the server motherboard for high bandwidth I/O
• Internal port configuration: 16 internal ports (16i) designed for dense storage backplanes
• RAID and protection features: Enterprise-grade RAID capabilities with caching, parity, and data-protection mechanisms to safeguard data integrity
• Management: Centralized management via Adaptec Storage Manager for monitoring, configuration, and firmware updates
• Form factor: PCIe add-in card designed for servers and storage appliances compliant with standard rack-based deployments

How to install Microchip Adaptec 24G SAS/SATA/NVMe PCIe Gen 4 RAID Adapter

• Power down the server and unplug from power to ensure safe installation of the PCIe RAID adapter
• Open the server chassis and locate an appropriate PCIe Gen 4 slot (preferably a PCIe x8 or x16 slot that provides sufficient bandwidth)
• Gently insert the Adaptec RAID card into the slot until fully seated, and secure the bracket with a screw
• Connect the backplane or SAS/SATA/NVMe drive cables to the card’s ports according to your chassis layout and cabling plan
• Power on the server and install the necessary drivers or firmware via the operating system or Adaptec Storage Manager; boot into the RAID configuration utility to create and initialize your arrays, then monitor health and performance through the management tool

Frequently asked questions

• What is Tri-Mode support on this adapter? Tri-Mode refers to the card’s ability to manage SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives on a single PCIe Gen 4 adapter, enabling flexible mix-and-match storage strategies within the same RAID environment.
• Which environments and operating systems are supported? This Adaptec SmartRAID adapter is designed for server OEMs, data centers, and enterprise deployments and is compatible with common server operating systems. Drivers and management software are provided by Microchip for supported OS versions.
• How does the performance scale with NVMe drives? NVMe support over PCIe Gen 4 dramatically increases I/O latency and throughput compared with traditional SAS/SATA paths, making it well-suited for I/O-heavy workloads such as databases, virtualization, and analytics when NVMe drives are used in the array.
• Can I hot-swap drives on this card? Yes, the adapter supports hot-swappable drives, minimizing downtime during maintenance or capacity expansion in live environments.
• What management tools are available? Adaptec Storage Manager provides centralized array creation, monitoring, firmware updates, performance statistics, and health alerts to simplify ongoing storage administration across large deployments.