Lenovo ServeRAID M5110, User Manual, Page: 17 / 72

1-2 Overview
The ServeRAID M5110 controller is based on the MegaRAID
first-to-market SAS IC technology and proven technology. As a
second-generation PCI Express controller, it addresses the growing
demand for increased data throughput and scalability requirements
across midrange and enterprise-class server platforms. Lenovo offers a
family of SAS controller to address the needs for both internal solutions
and external solutions.
SAS technology brings a wealth of options and flexibility with the use of
SAS devices and SATA devices within the same storage infrastructure.
However, SAS devices and SATA devices bring individual characteristics
that make each one a more suitable choice depending on your storage
needs. MegaRAID gives you the flexibility to combine these two similar
technologies on the same controller and within the same enclosure.
1.2 ServeRAID M5110 Controller Description and Limitations
The ServeRAID M5110 SAS/SATA controller is a PCI-Express 3.0, half-
size, half-height RAID controller based on the LSISAS2208 PCI Express-
SAS/SATA I/O Processor chip.
The controller controls eight internal 6-Gb/s SAS/SATA ports through two
SFF-8087 x4 internal mini SAS connectors. The controller integrates
eight high-performance SAS/SATA PHYs and a PCI Express bus master
DMA core. Each of the eight PHYs is capable of 6.0 Gb/s SAS link rates
and 6.0 Gb/s SATA III link rates.
The ServeRAID M5110 controller brings 6.0 Gb/s Serial Attached SCSI
and 6.0 Gb/s Serial ATA performance to host controller, workstation, and
server designs. The controller supports internal storage devices, which
allows you to use a system that supports enterprise-class SAS drives,
and desktop-class SATA drives. The controller can connect to drives
directly. Simplified cabling between devices is an additional benefit.
The controller is based on the LSISAS2208 ROC device. This device is
compliant with Fusion-MPT architecture and provides a PCI Express x8
interface.
The LSISAS2208 ROC device provides an eight-lane, 8-GT/s (1GB/s)
PCI Express host interface, eight 6.0 Gb/s SAS ports or eight 6.0 Gb/s
SATA ports, and a full-featured, hardware-based RAID implementation.