Microchip HBA 1100-8e Single — 8-Port 12 Gbps SAS/SATA HBA

The Microchip HBA 1100-8e Single is a high-performance 8-port external SAS/SATA host bus adapter designed to deliver reliable, scalable storage connectivity for enterprise servers. Built on the robust Microchip SmartIOC 2100 SAS/SATA controller and backed by the hardened Smart Storage stack, this low-profile MD2 card is engineered to handle the most demanding data-center workloads. With a 12 Gbps SAS/SATA interface per port and a PCIe Gen 3 x8 host connection, it provides powerful throughput for expansive storage environments, virtualization platforms, and mission-critical applications. Whether you’re expanding a data center, accelerating virtualized workloads, or enabling high-density storage enclosures, the HBA 1100-8e Single is engineered to keep I/O predictable and resilient under heavy traffic.

• Eight external SAS/SATA ports deliver dense, scalable connectivity for JBODs, storage arrays, or direct-attached storage, with up to 12 Gbps per port to maximize throughput.
• PCIe Gen 3 x8 host interface ensures ample bandwidth from the server to the HBA, supporting data-intensive workloads and simultaneous I/O streams.
• MD2 low-profile form factor fits a wide range of server chassis, including compact and space-constrained rack-mount systems, without sacrificing performance.
• Microchip SmartIOC 2100 SAS/SATA controller brings reliable I/O processing, robust error handling, and efficient data transfer for steady enterprise operation.
• The unified hardened Smart Storage stack powers stability across more than 30 million servers, delivering improved manageability, firmware updates, and security across storage deployments.

Technical Details of Microchip HBA 1100-8e Single

• Ports: 8 external SAS/SATA ports for flexible expansion and direct attachment to SAS/SATA storage devices.
• Data rate: 12 Gbps per port, enabling high-throughput connections to storage enclosures and drives.
• Host interface: PCIe Gen 3 x8, providing ample bandwidth from the host system to the HBA.
• Form factor: MD2 low-profile, suitable for standard servers and compact chassis.
• Controller: Microchip SmartIOC 2100 SAS/SATA, delivering efficient I/O orchestration and reliability.
• Storage stack: Hardened Smart Storage stack used across a vast base of servers for improved stability and lifecycle management.
• Use cases: Ideal for enterprise storage expansion, virtualization hosts, data-center workloads, and environments requiring dependable SAS/SATA connectivity.
• Compatibility notes: Designed to support SAS and SATA drives in enterprise environments with a focus on reliability and scalable performance.

How to install Microchip HBA 1100-8e

Step 1: Power down the server, unplug power cables, and ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge.

Step 2: Open the server chassis and identify an available PCIe Gen 3 x8 slot. Remove the slot cover if needed.

Step 3: Insert the HBA 1100-8e into the PCIe x8 slot and secure the card with a mounting screw to ensure solid seating.

Step 4: Connect eight SAS/SATA cables to the external ports on the HBA, routing cables for proper airflow and minimal strain.

Step 5: Reassemble the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the server. Install or update the appropriate drivers and firmware as required by your operating system and storage configuration.

Step 6: In your operating system or storage management tool, initialize and configure storage targets, assign zoning or passthrough settings as needed, and verify throughput and reliability under representative workloads.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Microchip HBA 1100-8e Single?
  A: It is an 8-port external SAS/SATA host bus adapter designed for enterprise servers, offering high-throughput connectivity and a reliable storage path to SAS/SATA devices.
• Q: How many ports does it have and what speeds do they support?
  A: The card provides eight external SAS/SATA ports with up to 12 Gbps per port, suitable for dense storage configurations and fast data transfer.
• Q: What form factor and interface does the card use?
  A: It uses a low-profile MD2 form factor and connects to the host via a PCIe Gen 3 x8 interface, delivering ample bandwidth for demanding workloads.
• Q: What is the Smart Storage stack?
  A: The Smart Storage stack is Microchip’s hardened software layer that enhances reliability, manageability, and lifecycle updates across storage deployments, and is deployed on millions of servers for stability and security.
• Q: What workloads is this HBA best suited for?
  A: It is well-suited for enterprise storage expansion, virtualization hosts, data-center applications, and any environment requiring robust SAS/SATA connectivity with scalable performance.
• Q: Do I need special OS support or drivers?
  A: The HBA is designed to work with standard enterprise environments; ensure you install the latest drivers or firmware from Microchip or your OS vendor to maximize compatibility and performance.