IBM ServeRAID M5025, User Manual

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1-8 Overview
The ServeRAID M5025 controller leverages a common electrical and
physical connection interface that is compatible with Serial ATA
technology. The SAS protocols and SATA II protocols use a thin, 7-wire
connector instead of the 68-wire SCSI cable or 26-wire ATA cable. The
SAS/SATA II connector and cable are easier to manipulate, allow
connections to smaller devices, and do not inhibit airflow. The point-to-
point SATA II architecture eliminates inherent difficulties created by the
legacy ATA master-slave architecture, while maintaining compatibility
with existing ATA firmware.
1.5.1 PCI Express Architecture
PCI Express is a local bus system designed to increase data transfers
without slowing down the central processing unit (CPU). You can install
the ServeRAID M5025 PCI Express RAID controller in PCI Express
computer systems with a standard bracket type. With these adapters in
your system, you can connect SCSI devices and SATA II devices over
the bus.
PCI Express goes beyond the PCI specification in that it is intended as
a unifying I/O architecture for various systems: desktops, workstations,
mobile, server, communications, and embedded devices.
1.5.2 Operating System Support
The ServeRAID M5025 controller supports the following operating
systems:

Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Server 2003, Windows Server 2008

Red Hat
®
Enterprise Linux
™
version 4 and version 5

SUSE
™
Linux Enterprise Server versions 9, 10, and 11

Novell
®
NetWare
®
6.5

SCO
™
OpenServer
®
6.0.0

SCO UnixWare
™
7.1.4

VMWare
®
ESX 3.0 and ESX 3.5
To download the latest operating system drivers, see
http://www.ibm.com/support/us/en/.