Description
Product Overview for the Broadcom SAS9361-8I Raid Controller
The Broadcom SAS9361-8I is a robust RAID controller designed to enhance data storage and management capabilities in server environments. With its impressive 1GB cache, 8 ports supporting SAS 12GBPS and SATA 6GBPS, and PCI-E interface, this controller offers a powerful solution for optimizing data storage and retrieval processes. In this detailed overview, we’ll delve into the key features, benefits, and technical specifications of the Broadcom SAS9361-8I RAID controller, explaining its role in improving storage performance and reliability.
Key Features
- 1GB Cache: The Broadcom SAS9361-8I boasts a substantial 1GB cache, providing a high-speed, temporary storage buffer for frequently accessed data. This cache significantly improves data retrieval speeds, contributing to enhanced overall system performance. The ample cache size is particularly beneficial in scenarios where quick access to frequently used data is crucial.
- 8 Ports Supporting SAS 12GBPS: One of the standout features of the SAS9361-8I is its support for eight ports with SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) connectivity at a blazing 12GBPS (gigabits per second). This high data transfer rate ensures swift and efficient communication between the RAID controller and connected storage devices. The increased bandwidth is especially advantageous in demanding enterprise environments where large volumes of data need to be processed rapidly.
- SATA 6GBPS Support: In addition to SAS connectivity, the SAS9361-8I also supports SATA (Serial ATA) devices with a speed of 6GBPS. This dual compatibility ensures versatility, allowing users to connect both SAS and SATA drives based on their specific storage requirements. The flexibility to accommodate different drive types makes the controller suitable for a wide range of storage setups.
- PCI-E Interface: The RAID controller utilizes the PCI Express (PCI-E) interface, a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard. The PCI-E interface facilitates fast and reliable communication between the RAID controller and the server’s motherboard. The use of PCI-E ensures optimal data transfer rates and low latency, critical factors in achieving high-performance storage solutions.
Benefits
- Improved Data Redundancy and Reliability: RAID controllers play a pivotal role in enhancing data redundancy and reliability. The SAS9361-8I supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. These RAID configurations offer different levels of data striping, mirroring, and parity, providing options for users to choose the level of redundancy and performance that best suits their needs. Improved data redundancy reduces the risk of data loss in case of drive failure, contributing to enhanced overall system reliability.
- Enhanced Performance: The combination of a generous 1GB cache and high-speed SAS 12GBPS connectivity results in significantly improved storage performance. The cache acts as a buffer, storing frequently accessed data and reducing the time it takes to retrieve information. The SAS 12GBPS interface ensures that large volumes of data can be transferred swiftly between the RAID controller and connected storage devices, optimizing overall system performance.
- Scalability and Flexibility: The SAS9361-8I offers scalability by supporting up to eight ports, allowing users to connect multiple drives to a single controller. This scalability is crucial for growing storage needs, as additional drives can be easily integrated into the existing RAID configuration. The dual support for SAS and SATA drives further enhances flexibility, enabling users to choose the type of drives that best aligns with their storage requirements.
- Easy Management and Monitoring: Broadcom provides user-friendly management tools for configuring and monitoring the SAS9361-8I RAID controller. These tools typically include a graphical user interface (GUI) and command-line interface (CLI) options, making it easy for administrators to set up and manage RAID arrays. Additionally, the controller often comes with features such as hot-swapping, allowing for the replacement of drives without shutting down the system—a critical aspect in maintaining continuous operation.
Technical Specifications
- Controller Type: The Broadcom SAS9361-8I is a PCI-E RAID controller, utilizing the PCI Express interface for seamless communication with the server’s motherboard.
- Cache Memory: With a substantial 1GB cache, the controller provides ample high-speed storage for frequently accessed data, contributing to improved overall system performance.
- Ports: The controller supports eight ports, offering connectivity for both SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) at 12GBPS and SATA (Serial ATA) at 6GBPS. This dual-port support enhances compatibility and flexibility in storage configurations.
- RAID Support: The SAS9361-8I supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This comprehensive RAID support allows users to choose the level of data redundancy and performance that best suits their specific requirements.
- Management Tools: Broadcom provides user-friendly management tools for configuring and monitoring the RAID controller. These tools include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and command-line interfaces (CLIs) to facilitate easy setup and maintenance.
- Compatibility: The controller is designed to be compatible with a wide range of server configurations, providing a versatile solution for different storage environments.
Use Cases
- Enterprise Servers: The SAS9361-8I is well-suited for enterprise servers where high-performance storage and data reliability are paramount. Its support for RAID configurations, high-speed connectivity, and scalability make it an ideal choice for businesses with demanding data storage requirements.
- Data Centers: In data center environments where large volumes of data need to be processed and stored efficiently, the SAS9361-8I’s high-speed SAS 12GBPS connectivity and RAID support contribute to enhanced data management capabilities.
- Media and Content Creation Workstations: For workstations involved in media and content creation, quick access to large files is crucial. The SAS9361-8I’s 1GB cache and high-speed connectivity make it a valuable component in optimizing the performance of such workstations.
High Reliability
The Broadcom SAS9361-8I is a high-reliability SAS RAID controller that is designed to provide excellent performance and reliability for data storage applications. With a 1GB cache and 8 ports, the controller is capable of handling a large amount of data and can support multiple connections at the same time. The controller supports SAS 12Gbps and SATA 6Gbps data transfer rates and PCI-E interface, which allows for high-speed data transfer and data protection.
It is a popular choice for enterprise-class storage systems, and it supports a variety of RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This allows for flexible data protection and performance options to meet the needs of different types of workloads.
The Broadcom is a high-performance and high-reliability SAS RAID controller that is well-suited for enterprise-class data storage applications. It offers a good balance of performance, reliability, and compatibility with most of the systems.
Scalability
The SAS9361-8I Broadcom controller is a scalable controller, meaning it can be expanded to meet the growing needs of a storage system. The controller has 8 ports, which allows for multiple connections to be made at the same time, and it supports SAS 12Gbps and SATA 6Gbps data transfer rates. This allows for the addition of more storage devices, such as hard drives or solid-state drives, to the system as needed.
The controller also supports a variety of RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, which allows for flexible data protection and performance options. This allows for the ability to expand the RAID volume as well as the RAID level based on the storage capacity and data protection needs.
In addition, the controller has a 1GB cache that can be used to improve the performance of the system. As the capacity of the storage system grows, the cache can be expanded to meet the increased demand for data storage.
The Broadcom controller is a scalable controller that can be expanded to meet the growing needs of a storage system. With its 8 ports and support for various RAID levels, it can easily be scaled to accommodate additional storage devices, and its 1GB cache can be expanded to improve performance.
General Compatibility
The SAS9361-8I Broadcom controller is a general-purpose RAID controller that is compatible with a wide range of systems and storage devices. The controller has 8 ports, which allows for multiple connections to be made at the same time, and it supports SAS 12Gbps and SATA 6Gbps data transfer rates, which allows it to be used with a wide range of storage devices, such as hard drives and solid-state drives.
The controller also supports a variety of RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, which allows for flexible data protection and performance options. This makes it compatible with different types of workloads and data storage needs.
The controller has a 1GB cache, which can be used to improve the performance of the system. This feature is compatible with most of the systems.
The Broadcom controller is a general-purpose controller that is compatible with a wide range of systems and storage devices. It offers 8 ports, support for various RAID levels, and a 1GB cache. These features make it a versatile controller that can be used in a wide range of data storage applications.
General Information about this Broadcom SAS9361-8I
- Manufacturer: Broadcom
- Part Number or SKU# SAS9361-8I
- Product Type: Controller
- Product Name: SAS-SATA
Technical Information of PCI-E Controller Card
- Host Interface: X8 PCI Express 3.0 Compliant
- Data Transfer Rate: Up To 12GB/S PEr Port
- RAID Levels: RAID Levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, And 60
- Devices Supported: Up To 240 SATA And/Or SAS Devices
- Cache Memory: 1GB 1866MHZ DDRIII Sdram
Power
- Operating Voltage: +3.3v, +12v
In general, the Broadcom SAS9361-8I RAID controller stands out as a powerful solution for improving storage performance, reliability, and scalability in diverse computing environments. With its 1GB cache, support for SAS 12GBPS and SATA 6GBPS, and compatibility with various RAID configurations, it addresses the storage needs of enterprise servers, data centers, and high-performance workstations. As data continues to be a critical asset for businesses, investing in a robust RAID controller like the SAS9361-8I becomes a strategic decision to ensure efficient data management and safeguarding against potential data loss.