Description
Product Overview for the LSI Logic 9286CV-8E PCI-E Raid Controller
The 9286CV-8E LSI Logic MegaRAID 8-Ports SAS 6GBPS SATA 6GBPS PCI-E Raid Controller is a cutting-edge hardware solution designed to enhance storage performance and data protection in enterprise-level systems. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the features, functionality, and benefits of this RAID controller, explaining its significance in the context of modern data storage and management.
Overview of RAID Controllers
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) controllers play a crucial role in managing multiple disk drives to improve performance, reliability, and data integrity. The 9286CV-8E from LSI Logic is a RAID controller designed to provide advanced storage management capabilities, particularly in scenarios where high-performance data access and fault tolerance are paramount.
Key Features of the 9286CV-8E LSI Logic MegaRAID Controller
- Port Configuration: The “8-Ports” in the product name indicates the number of physical ports available on the controller. This allows for the connection of up to eight separate drives, enabling a significant increase in storage capacity and flexibility.
- SAS 6GBPS and SATA 6GBPS Support: The inclusion of SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) support ensures compatibility with a wide range of storage devices. The 6GBPS data transfer rate enhances data throughput, contributing to improved system responsiveness and reduced latency.
- PCI-E Interface: The PCI-E (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface signifies a high-speed connection to the motherboard, facilitating efficient communication between the RAID controller and other system components. This ensures optimal data transfer rates and responsiveness, crucial for demanding applications and workloads.
RAID Levels Supported
- RAID 0 (Striping): RAID 0 combines multiple drives into a single logical unit, distributing data across the drives for improved performance. However, RAID 0 does not provide redundancy, meaning a failure in one drive could result in data loss.
- RAID 1 (Mirroring): RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the data remains accessible from the mirrored drive. While this offers data protection, it does not contribute to increased storage capacity.
- RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): RAID 5 distributes data and parity information across multiple drives, offering a balance of performance and data protection. If one drive fails, the RAID controller can reconstruct the lost data using parity information stored on the remaining drives.
- RAID 6 (Striping with Dual Parity): Similar to RAID 5, RAID 6 provides striping and parity across drives. However, it incorporates dual parity, allowing for the simultaneous failure of two drives without data loss. This level of redundancy is particularly crucial in environments where data integrity is of utmost importance.
Advanced-Data Protection and Management:
- CacheVault Technology: The 9286CV-8E features CacheVault technology, which involves a dedicated cache module with a built-in battery. This ensures that in the event of a power outage, the controller can write cached data to the storage drives, preventing data loss or corruption.
- SSD Caching: The controller supports SSD caching, a technique where a small and fast SSD (Solid State Drive) is used to cache frequently accessed data. This results in accelerated read and write speeds, optimizing overall system performance.
- Virtualization Support: For environments utilizing virtualization technologies, the MegaRAID controller is designed to seamlessly integrate. This includes compatibility with virtualization platforms such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, ensuring efficient storage management in virtualized infrastructures.
Use Cases and Industry Applications
- Data Centers: In large-scale data centers, where the demand for high-performance storage and data protection is critical, the 9286CV-8E finds its application. Its support for various RAID levels and advanced features makes it suitable for managing vast amounts of data in enterprise environments.
- Server Systems: Server systems, particularly those handling mission-critical applications, benefit from the enhanced performance and reliability provided by the MegaRAID controller. The ability to configure RAID arrays tailored to specific needs ensures optimal utilization of storage resources.
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): In high-performance computing environments where data access speed is paramount, the 9286CV-8E’s support for SSD caching and high-speed data transfer rates becomes invaluable. It contributes to the seamless execution of complex computational tasks.
Performance and speed capabilities
The 9286CV-8E LSI Logic MegaRAID 8-Ports SAS 6GBPS SATA 6GBPS PCI-E Raid Controller is a high-performance RAID controller that supports both SAS and SATA drives. It has 8 ports, allowing for the connection of up to 8 storage devices.
The controller supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing a variety of data protection and performance options. It also supports JBOD mode.
With its 6GB/s SAS and SATA interfaces, the controller is capable of high-speed data transfer and can support multiple high-performance storage devices. The controller also features an 800 MHz PowerPC processor and 1GB of DDR3 cache memory, providing fast data processing and caching capabilities.
The 9286CV-8E also has a built-in SAS expander, which allows for the connection of additional SAS storage devices and expands the number of available ports.
Compatibility and system requirements
The 9286CV-8E LSI Logic MegaRAID 8-Ports SAS 6GBPS SATA 6GBPS PCI-E Raid Controller is compatible with a variety of systems and has the following system requirements:
- Operating System: Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Linux, Solaris, VMware, and Hyper-V.
- Hardware Compatibility: The controller is compatible with PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot and is backward compatible with PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot.
- Connectivity: 8 internal SAS/SATA ports for connecting hard drives or SSDs.
- Firmware: The controller requires firmware version 19.00.00.00 or later.
- Power Supply: The controller requires a power supply of 12V and 3.3V.
- Drive Support: The controller supports SAS and SATA hard drives and solid-state drives (SSDs) with a maximum capacity of up to 16TB.
- RAID Support: The controller supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD.
It is important to note that the controller is designed for use in enterprise-class servers and storage systems, and may not be compatible with consumer-grade motherboards or systems. It is also recommended to check for compatibility with the system and operating system before purchasing.
General Information about this LSI Logic 9286CV-8E
- Manufacturer: LSI Logic
- Part Number or SKU# 9286CV-8E
- Product Type: SAS-SATA
- Product Name: Controller
Technical Information for Raid Controller
- Interface: SATA 6GBPS / SAS
- Data Transfer Rate: 600 MBPS
- Buffer Size: 1GB
- Supported Devices: Hard Drive, Disk Array (Raid), Solid State Drive
- Max Storage Devices Qty: 64
- Raid Level: Raid 0, Raid 1, Raid 5, Raid 6, Raid 10, Raid 50, JBOD, Raid 60
- Processor: Lsisas2208 800 Mhz
- Maximum Luns: 64
Outline, the 9286CV-8E LSI Logic MegaRAID 8-Ports SAS 6GBPS SATA 6GBPS PCI-E Raid Controller stands as a robust solution for storage management in enterprise settings. Its combination of advanced features, compatibility with various storage devices, and support for RAID configurations make it a versatile choice for businesses seeking optimal performance and data protection. As technology continues to advance, RAID controllers like the 9286CV-8E play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of data storage and management, ensuring the efficient and secure handling of ever-growing volumes of information.