IBM ServeRAID M5210, Руководство пользователя

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ServeRAID M5210 SAS/SATA Controller for IBM System x User’s Guide
July 2014 Chapter 1: Overview
Benefits of the SAS Interface
1.4 Benefits of the SAS Interface
SAS is a serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level device interface that leverages the proven SCSI protocol set. SAS
combines the advantages of SATA, SCSI, and Fibre Channel, and is the future mainstay of the enterprise and high-end
workstation storage markets. SAS offers a higher bandwidth per pin than parallel SCSI, and it improves signal and data
integrity.
The SAS interface uses the proven SCSI command set to ensure reliable data transfers, while providing the
connectivity and flexibility of point-to-point serial data transfers. The serial transmission of SCSI commands eliminates
clock-skew challenges. The SAS interface provides improved performance, simplified cabling, smaller connectors,
lower pin count, and lower power requirements when compared to parallel SCSI.
The ServeRAID M5210 SAS/SATA controller leverages a common electrical and physical connection interface that is
compatible with Serial ATA technology. The SAS protocols and SATA protocols use a thin, 7-wire connector instead of
the 68-wire SCSI cable or 26-wire ATA cable. The SAS/SATA III connector and cable are easier to manipulate, allow
connections to smaller devices, and do not inhibit airflow. The point-to-point SATA III architecture eliminates inherent
difficulties created by the legacy ATA master-slave architecture, while maintaining compatibility with existing ATA
firmware.
1.4.1 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 your ServeRAID M5210SAS/SATA controller in PCI Express computer systems with a standard
bracket type. With this controller in your system, you can connect SCSI devices and SATA 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.
1.4.2 Operating System Support
To check for the latest list of supported operating systems and to download the device drivers for those operating
systems, see
http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
The ServeRAID M5210 controller uses Fusion-MPT architecture for all major operating systems, thinner device drivers,
and better performance.
1.5 Benefits of the ServeRAID M5210 SAS/SATA Controller
This section provides a summary of the features and the benefits of the ServeRAID M5210 SAS/SATA controller. It
contains information on SAS features, SATA features, PCI performance, integration, usability, and flexibility.
The controller offers the following features:

PCI Express x8 lane width

PCI Express performance up to 8 GT/s (1 GB/s) per lane

Two internal connectors

Support for RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 in iMR mode

Support for RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 in MR mode
To use RAID levels 5/50/6/60 with this controller, you need to install a Feature on Demand upgrade and/or a
transportable memory module. See
Section 1.2.1, “Supported RAID Level Upgrades” for information about these
upgrades.