Microchip Adaptec SmartRAID 3154-16i Single — 12 Gbps SAS/SATA RAID Adapter

The Microchip Adaptec SmartRAID 3154-16i Single is a high-performance RAID controller engineered for modern storage environments that demand both speed and reliability. With 16 internal SAS/SATA ports, a PCIe Gen3 x8 host interface, and a compact MD2 low-profile form factor, this card fits a broad range of servers—from dense 1U and blade systems to enterprise rack configurations. It leverages Microchip’s Smart Storage stack to deliver robust data protection, scalable performance, and simplified administration for data centers that require consistent, enterprise-grade storage behavior. Whether your workloads include large databases, virtualized environments, media libraries, or backup pipelines, the 3154-16i is designed to maximize throughput while offloading drive-intensive tasks from the host CPU. The result is lower latency, improved I/O responsiveness, and a storage backbone that can scale as your data footprint grows. In a landscape where data reliability and uptime are paramount, this Adaptec RAID adapter combines capacity, speed, and ease of management into a single, purpose-built solution.

• Engineered for speed and reliability with 16 internal SAS/SATA ports and up to 12 Gbps per channel, the 3154-16i offers high-throughput connectivity for multi-drive arrays. The PCIe Gen3 x8 host interface ensures ample bandwidth to the processor and memory, reducing bottlenecks during peak I/O periods. This hardware-level acceleration offloads RAID parity calculations and rebuild tasks from the host CPU, freeing resources for application workloads and delivering consistently responsive performance even under heavy workloads. The MD2 low-profile form factor allows deployment in a wide range of servers, including 1U and blade enclosures, without sacrificing performance or expansion potential. In environments that require rapid recovery after drive failures, the 3154-16i’s design supports quick rebuilds and resilient data protection across an array of drives and backplanes.
• Designed to support a full spectrum of enterprise RAID levels, the SmartRAID 3154-16i provides flexible data protection and performance optimization to fit diverse workloads. By enabling robust fault tolerance and efficient parity handling, it helps balance capacity with safety, making it suitable for mission-critical databases, virtualized environments, and business continuity scenarios. The Smart Storage stack behind the controller provides consistent performance across drives and configurations, helping administrators achieve predictable latency and steady throughput. This level of versatility is ideal for mixed-drive environments (SATA and SAS) where storage expansion, hot-spare strategies, and rapid rebuild capabilities are essential to maintaining service levels and minimizing downtime.
• Centralized management and visibility are central to this controller’s value proposition. With Adaptec Storage Manager and the Smart Storage Platform, administrators gain unified monitoring, alerting, firmware management, and RAID configuration across multiple controllers and systems. The software-centric approach simplifies provisioning of new arrays, health checks, and proactive notifications when a drive or path experiences issues. By consolidating management tasks in a single console, IT teams can reduce operational overhead, accelerate deployments, and maintain consistent storage policies across the data center. The result is faster time-to-value for new projects and easier ongoing maintenance for growing storage infrastructures.
• Reliability and compatibility are at the core of the 3154-16i. Built to meet enterprise-grade expectations, this card supports robust error detection, data integrity checks, and protection against drive and path failures. Its compatibility with leading server platforms, operating systems, and hypervisors ensures broad deployment flexibility, enabling organizations to standardize on a single RAID solution across diverse workloads. The 12 Gbps SAS/SATA interface provides a future-ready path for high-speed storage devices and backplanes, helping you maximize the return on your storage investments while maintaining a straightforward upgrade path as your environment scales.
• Deployment versatility completes the package. The MD2 low-profile form factor is ideally suited for dense server configurations, including 1U racks and blade systems, where space is at a premium but I/O flexibility remains essential. The 3154-16i supports internal cabling suitable for direct drive connections and backplane architectures, enabling clean, scalable wiring that preserves airflow and cooling efficiency. This combination of form factor, port density, and performance makes the card a compelling option for data-center modernization, virtualization upgrades, or expansions of existing storage arrays without requiring a major hardware overhaul.

Technical Details of Microchip Adaptec SmartRAID 3154-16i Single

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install Microchip Adaptec SmartRAID 3154-16i Single

Installing the Adaptec SmartRAID 3154-16i is straightforward on compatible servers. Begin by powering down the system and grounding yourself to prevent static discharge. Open the chassis, locate an available PCIe x8 slot, and insert the card firmly until the bracket is flush with the chassis. Secure the card with a screw to prevent movement. Connect the internal SAS/SATA cables or backplane connectors to the appropriate ports on the controller, taking care to route cables for proper airflow and clear access to drives. After the hardware installation, connect any required power to the server and power it on. During boot, the BIOS may recognize the controller; you can configure basic settings or proceed to the operating system for driver installation. Install the Adaptec management software (Adaptec Storage Manager or Smart Storage Manager) to initialize and configure your RAID arrays. Create the desired RAID levels, assign hot spares if applicable, and verify the rebuild status if any drives are replacement or degraded. Finally, monitor the health and performance of the arrays through the management console, update firmware as needed, and establish alerting to stay informed about drive health and performance variances. This process yields a robust, scalable storage solution with clear visibility and proactive control over data protection and performance optimization.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How many ports does the Adaptec SmartRAID 3154-16i have?

  A: It features 16 internal SAS/SATA ports for connecting drives and backplanes, enabling dense storage configurations and scalable capacity.

• Q: What interface connects the card to the host system?

  A: The card uses a PCIe Gen3 x8 interface, providing ample bandwidth for high-I/O workloads and fast data transfer between the host and storage arrays.

• Q: What form factor is the card?

  A: The device uses an MD2 low-profile form factor, designed for compatibility with a wide range of servers, including 1U and blade environments.

• Q: Does it support all RAID levels?

  A: Yes, the SmartRAID 3154-16i supports a broad set of enterprise RAID levels, enabling you to tailor protection and performance to your workload requirements.

• Q: How do I manage the controller?

  A: Management is provided through Adaptec Storage Manager/Smart Storage Manager, which offers RAID configuration, health monitoring, firmware updates, and alerting to simplify administration in single or multi-controller deployments.