Microchip Adaptec HBA 1100-8i8e Single — 12 Gbps SAS/SATA HBA for High-Density Storage

The Microchip Adaptec HBA 1100-8i8e is a high-performance, 12 Gbps SAS/SATA host bus adapter engineered for demanding data centers, virtualized environments, and scalable storage deployments. Built to maximize density and reliability, this HBA offers eight internal and eight external SAS/SATA ports in a compact x8 PCIe Gen 3 MD2 low-profile form factor. It’s designed to streamline storage connectivity across servers, JBOD enclosures, and multi-node configurations, delivering solid throughput, low latency, and robust compatibility. With the hardened Smart Storage stack that has been deployed on millions of servers, the 1100-8i8e provides a trusted foundation for enterprise storage workloads and future-ready performance.

• Optimized port density for dense storage architectures. The Adaptec 1100-8i8e delivers a total of 16 SAS/SATA ports — 8 internal and 8 external — enabling flexible architecture for direct-attached storage, external enclosures, or mixed configurations. This combination is ideal for consolidating drives in space-constrained servers, creating scalable JBOD shelves, or feeding external storage arrays in virtualization clusters. Each port is capable of 12 Gbps SAS/SATA bandwidth, ensuring ample headroom for data-intensive workloads while maintaining efficient I/O operations across the server infrastructure.
• Powerful PCIe Gen3 x8 interface with a compact MD2 form factor. The adapter leverages a PCIe Gen 3 x8 interface to deliver reliable, high-throughput connectivity without dominating server PCIe lanes. Its MD2 low-profile design makes installation in compact 1U and 2U server chassis straightforward, allowing data centers to maximize rack space and keep critical I/O paths free for other devices. This combination of speed and form factor is particularly well-suited for dense virtualization hosts, HPC nodes, and storage-centric servers where every PCIe lane counts.
• Trusted reliability with the unified hardened Smart Storage stack. The 1100-8i8e is built on Microchip’s hardened Smart Storage software stack, a proven foundation now deployed across millions of servers. This stack delivers improved data integrity, robust error handling, and streamlined management for SAS/SATA devices. IT teams benefit from consistent firmware updates, proactive health monitoring, and stable driver support, which translates into lower downtime, easier maintenance, and a smoother path to scale storage across mixed environments.
• Broad compatibility and straightforward management. Designed to work with a wide range of operating systems and storage ecosystems, the 1100-8i8e integrates with common enterprise platforms and management tools. The adapter supports standard SAS/SATA devices and can be managed through vendor-provided utilities, firmware update services, and monitoring solutions commonly deployed in data centers. This broad compatibility simplifies integration into existing server fleets, reduces deployment friction, and helps maintain consistent performance across diverse workloads.
• Ideal for diverse deployments — from virtualized hosts to external storage expansion. Whether you’re building a virtualization cluster, implementing a backup and disaster-recovery tier, or expanding capacity for a data-intensive workflow, the 1100-8i8e provides scalable, reliable connectivity. Its combination of 16 ports, high-speed SAS/SATA throughput, and enterprise-grade reliability makes it well-suited for both new builds and upgrades in mid-size to large-scale data centers that require flexible storage access without sacrificing performance.

Technical Details of Microchip Adaptec HBA 1100-8i8e Single

• Ports: 8 internal SAS/SATA ports plus 8 external SAS/SATA ports
• Interface: PCIe Gen 3 x8
• Form factor: MD2 low-profile
• Data rate per port: 12 Gbps SAS/SATA
• Storage stack: Unified hardened Smart Storage stack, widely deployed and trusted across millions of servers
• Compatibility: Broad support for SAS/SATA devices and common enterprise OS ecosystems

How to install Microchip Adaptec HBA 1100-8i8e Single

• Prepare the server: Power down the server and unplug all power sources. If you’re performing an in-situ upgrade, ensure there are no ongoing I/O operations and the system is fully powered off before removing existing components.
• Open the chassis: Remove the server cover to access the motherboard and the PCIe expansion area. Identify an available PCIe Gen 3 x8 slot with enough clearance for the MD2 low-profile card.
• Seat the adapter: Insert the Adaptec HBA 1100-8i8e into the PCIe x8 slot until it is firmly seated. Secure the bracket with the appropriate screws to ensure a stable connection and minimize vibration.
• Connect storage cables: Attach the internal SAS/SATA cables to the eight internal ports and connect the external SAS/SATA cables to the eight external ports, following your storage layout. Ensure cable routing avoids sharp bends and maintains proper airflow for cooling.
• Power on and configure: Reassemble the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the server. Enter the system BIOS/UEFI if required to verify the new PCIe device is recognized. Install the latest Adaptec drivers and management utilities, and apply the latest firmware for the 1100-8i8e through the vendor’s update channels. Run a quick post-install health check to confirm port status and link integrity.
• Verify and monitor: After boot, use the management tools to verify that all ports are online and that drives are visible. Validate data paths and perform a basic read/write test to ensure expected throughput. Establish ongoing monitoring for drive health, link status, and temperature to maintain peak performance and reliability.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Microchip Adaptec HBA 1100-8i8e used for? It is a high-performance host bus adapter designed to provide sixteen SAS/SATA connections (8 internal and 8 external) for SAS/SATA storage devices, enabling flexible and scalable storage architectures in servers, virtualization hosts, and external storage deployments.
• How many ports does it have and what types? The card offers a total of 16 ports: 8 internal SAS/SATA ports and 8 external SAS/SATA ports, all supporting up to 12 Gbps per port for fast data transfer.
• What interface and form factor are supported? The adapter uses a PCIe Gen3 x8 interface and comes in an MD2 low-profile form factor suitable for compact server chassis and dense data-center racks.
• Is it compatible with common operating systems? Yes. The 1100-8i8e is designed for broad OS compatibility and integrates with standard management tools and drivers used in enterprise environments. Always check the latest firmware and driver releases to ensure full support in your specific OS version.
• What are typical use cases? This HBA is ideal for virtualized environments, storage-dense servers, direct-attached storage configurations, and external storage expansion. It supports scalable data paths, helps reduce bottlenecks in storage I/O, and pairs well with Adaptec management utilities for monitoring and maintenance.
• How do I maintain and update firmware? Use the vendor’s management suite or firmware update utility to apply the latest firmware, ensuring compatibility with current hardware and software stacks. Regular firmware updates help improve reliability, performance, and compatibility with newer drives and storage enclosures.