The 3ware 9550SXU SATA II RAID controller delivers unmatched performance, robust fault-
tolerance, and multi-terabyte capacities. Combined with an advanced RAID management feature
set that includes web-based, command-based, and API software components, the 9550SXU,
available in 4, 8, 12, and 16-port configurations, is the most compelling solution available.
Highlights
• 200% faster than the industry-
leading 3ware 9500S RAID controller
• Over 380 MB/s RAID 5 writes and
over 800 MB/s RAID 5 reads
• StorSwitch
™
7th generation non-
blocking switch fabric for maximum
controller throughput
• StreamFusion
™
optimizes RAID 5 disk
accesses to maximize application
performance under multiple heavy
stream loads
• StorSave
™
BBU with write journaling
optimizes data protection and
performance
• Supports advanced SATA 2.5 specifi-
cation features including 3 Gbps,
NCQ, Port Multiplier and Port Selector
• Multi-lane
™
combines four SATA ports
into a single locked connection to
improve I/O subsystem reliability
• A complete family of 4, 8, 12, and
16-port controllers
S ATA I I R A I D C o n t r o l l e r s
A P P L I C A T I O N S F O R 3 W A R E C O N T R O L L E R S
Servers
Security/
Surveillance
Video
Editing
Super
Computing
NAS
Video
On-Demand
Disk-to-Disk
Backup
High Performance RAID
Solution of Choice
The 3ware 9550SXU PCI-X to Serial ATA II RAID
controller delivers over 800 MB/sec RAID 5 reads
and exceeds 380 MB/sec RAID 5 writes, making it
200% faster than the industry leading 3ware
9500S RAID controller. 7th generation StorSwitch
™
non-blocking switch fabric technology and
sophisticated SATA II features including 3 Gbps
transfer speed, Native Command Queuing, and
Port Multiplier support drive this unmatched
performance.
AMCC’s exclusive StreamFusion
™
caching algorithms
assure the most efficient use of available band-
width when transferring multiple simultaneous
data streams to an array. The on-board PowerPC
processor manages RAID controller functions,
which allows the host system CPU to manage
system applications.
The 9550SXU’s advanced RAID features and pow-
erful performance architecture make it the ideal
controller for mid-range database applications,
print and file server applications, and vertical
applications including NAS storage, web servers,
cluster servers, supercomputing, near-line backup
and archival, security systems, and audio and
video streaming applications.
Enterprise-class Reliability
and Scalability
StorSave
™
, AMCC’s data reliability platform, delivers
a comprehensive suite of advanced data protec-
tion and data recovery features, combined with
a Battery Backup Unit. The BBU, complete with
write journaling, provides added data protection
in the event of a power outage. Reliability is
further strengthened with features like out of
band (OOB) staggered spin up, SMART disk drive
monitoring and reporting, hot spare/hot swap,
automatic rebuild, and dynamic sector repair.
Enterprise RAID features such as on-line capacity
expansion allows flexible scalability of the RAID
array, while RAID level migration allows the
reorganization of arrays when data protection
requirements change. Other scalability features
include 64-bit LBA support for addressing arrays
greater the 2 TB and support for multiple cards
within a system for large storage requirements.
The 3ware 9550SXU controller supports RAID
levels 0, 1, 10, 5, 50, Single Disk, and JBOD.
Integrated Cabling Flexibility
AMCC’s award winning Multi-lane
™
SATA cabling
system significantly reduces the number of cables
needed to connect controllers, backplanes,
and standard SATA drives. Multi-lane combines
four SATA ports into a single locked connection.
A 16-port controller requires only four cables
with Multi-lane. A reduced cable count facilitates
systems scalability and improved airflow.
3ware
®
9550SXU
*
High-Performance PCI-X to Serial ATA II RAID Controller
Hard
Drive
Hard
Drive
Hard
Drive
Hard
Drive
Up to
1.5 Gb/sec
per port
3ware SATA Hardware
RAID Controller
Advanced
StorSwitch
Architecture
* A “U” has been added to all 9550SX part numbers to denote
RoHS 6 of 6 compliance
