Serial-attached SCSI (SAS) has become the standard for high-speed data transmission, offering significant advantages over older parallel SCSI technology. Choosing the right cables and connectors is crucial for building a reliable and high-performance storage network. This guide will help you identify the most common types of SAS interfaces.
Serial-attached SCSI (SAS) has become the standard for high-speed data transmission, offering significant advantages over older parallel SCSI technology. Choosing the right cables and connectors is crucial for building a reliable and high-performance storage network. This guide will help you identify the most common types of SAS interfaces.
SAS connectors are broadly categorized by their pin count and placement (internal vs. external use).
1.7-Pin SAS Connector
The 7-pin connector, defined by the SFF-8482 standard, is the fundamental interface found on individual SAS and SATA hard drives. It efficiently combines both data and power signals, allowing a drive to connect directly to a motherboard or Host Bus Adapter (HBA). This same connector is also the building block for SAS backplanes, which are used in server chassis to simplify the wiring of multiple drives to a RAID or HBA controller.
2. SFF-8087
The Small Form Factor (SFF) committee defines standards for compact connectors, not a specific cable type. A prominent example is the SFF-8087 connector, often called Internal Mini-SAS. This high-density internal connector aggregates four separate SAS lanes (each equivalent to a single 7-pin SFF-8482 lane) into one cable. With a total aggregated bandwidth of up to 12 Gbps (or 48 Gbps for SAS 3), it is the standard cable for efficiently connecting a SAS host bus adapter (HBA) or RAID card to a backplane or multiple drives within a chassis.
3. SFF-8088
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Function: Also a four-lane connector, but designed for connections between different chassis.
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Key Feature: It has a sturdy, shielded casing with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental disconnection, which is critical for external cabling.
- Common Use: Ideal for creating direct-attached storage (DAS) setups where you need to expand storage capacity beyond a single server case.
4. SFF-8482
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Function: Provides a direct connection for a single drive.
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Common Use: These cables are useful for connecting a single SAS drive directly to a controller when no backplane is present. They often come with an integrated Molex power connector for convenience.
