Supermicro SAS Controller – 12Gb/s PCIe 3.0 RAID Card

The Supermicro SAS Controller is a high-performance, plug-in RAID solution designed to accelerate storage throughput, simplify management, and protect critical data in demanding server environments. Built around the industry-standard 12Gb/s SAS protocol and PCI Express 3.0, this SAS controller delivers reliable, scalable storage performance for data centers, enterprise servers, and ambitious workstations. Whether you’re expanding an existing array, building a new storage chassis, or upgrading an aging controller, this 8-port SAS controller is engineered to maximize throughput while offering flexible RAID configurations to safeguard your data.

• 12Gb/s SAS performance with per-channel speed to handle data-intensive workloads, accelerating databases, virtualization, media streaming, backups, and large-scale archival tasks. The fast SAS backbone reduces bottlenecks, enabling your drives to reach their full potential and improving overall system responsiveness under heavy I/O loads.
• PCI Express 3.0 plug-in card form factor for broad compatibility with modern servers and workstations. The PCIe 3.0 interface provides ample bandwidth for simultaneous read/write operations, ensuring stable performance even when multiple drives are accessed in parallel. Installation is straightforward in standard x4/x8 PCIe slots, making it easy to retrofit into most server chassis.
• Comprehensive RAID support across multiple levels, including 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This enables a wide range of data protection strategies—from simple disk striping for speed to robust, fault-tolerant configurations that minimize downtime and data loss in the event of drive failures. The controller’s RAID engine is designed for consistent rebuild times and reliable data integrity in mixed-drive environments.
• Eight total SAS ports, with eight internal SAS ports for direct connections to backplanes, JBODs, or expanders. This provides scalable storage expansion and flexible cabling configurations, allowing you to design a storage layout that matches your capacity and performance requirements. The internal port layout is optimized for clean cable routing and minimized signal interference within dense server racks.
• Linux and PC compatibility with reliable driver support and robust management features. This controller is designed to work smoothly with Linux installations and Windows-based servers, enabling straightforward integration into diverse environments. The model includes cache and processing capabilities that boost performance, improve reliability, and reduce CPU overhead on your host system, delivering a smoother storage experience across operating systems.

Technical Details of Supermicro SAS Controller

• Product: Supermicro SAS Controller PCIe RAID Card
• Interface: PCI Express 3.0
• Controller type: 12Gb/s SAS controller with 2 GB cache for improved read/write performance
• RAID support: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
• Ports: 8 Total SAS Ports; 8 Internal SAS Ports
• Form factor: Plug-in PCIe card
• Target OS: Linux, PC (Windows/Linux compatibility as applicable)
• Performance: Designed to deliver high-throughput storage operations with dependable data protection
• Reliability: Built for constant operation in data-center-like workloads with competent failure handling and rebuild processes

how to install Supermicro SAS Controller

• Power down your server, unplug all power sources, and discharge any residual static electricity before handling components.
• Remove the chassis cover and locate an available PCI Express slot that meets the controller’s requirements (often a PCIe x4 or x8 slot). Ensure there is enough space for the card and proper clearance for any cables coming from the backplane.
• Insert the Supermicro SAS Controller firmly into the PCIe slot and secure it with a screw to the chassis to prevent movement during operation.
• Connect the internal SAS cables from the controller’s SAS ports to your backplane, drive cage, or SAS expanders. Route cables neatly to prevent interference with fans or other components, and ensure a clean cable management layout for airflow efficiency.
• Power on the system and enter the system BIOS or RAID controller BIOS utility to initialize the card. Create and configure your desired RAID array according to your data protection and performance needs (e.g., RAID 5 for a balance of capacity and redundancy, RAID 10 for performance and fault tolerance, or RAID 60 for higher fault tolerance across multiple arrays).
• Install or update the appropriate storage controller drivers in your operating system. Verify that the controller is recognized by the OS, and confirm that the configured RAID volumes appear as logical drives ready for formatting and data storage.
• Once configured, monitor the array status and drive health via the controller’s management interface or the host OS tools. Regularly check for firmware updates from the manufacturer to ensure compatibility and stability with evolving hardware and software ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What workloads is the Supermicro SAS Controller best suited for?
A: It is designed for high-throughput, storage-intensive workloads such as database hosting, virtualization, media editing, backup and disaster recovery, and large-scale archival storage. The 12Gb/s SAS interface and robust RAID options help optimize performance while protecting data integrity.

Q: How many drives can I connect with this controller?
A: The controller features eight total SAS ports, with eight internal SAS ports to connect to backplanes or expansion enclosures. This configuration supports compact to mid-sized storage arrays with scalable expansion potential when used with compatible backplanes and expanders.

Q: Which RAID levels are supported?
A: The controller supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, offering a range of options from simple performance-oriented configurations to highly fault-tolerant setups suitable for critical data and uptime requirements.

Q: Is this controller compatible with Linux and Windows environments?
A: Yes. It is designed for Linux and PC environments, with drivers and management utilities that facilitate integration into common server ecosystems. Always verify the exact OS and driver versions supported by your hardware and software stack.

Q: Do I need to install drivers or management software?
A: Yes. After installing the card, you should install the appropriate drivers and, if available, the controller management utility to configure arrays, monitor health, and perform firmware updates. This ensures optimal performance and reliability across your storage setup.