Intel SASMF8I User Guide - Page 14

• Allows addressing of multiple SATA targets through an expander if using SATA 2.0- compliant hard disk drives. • Allows multiple initiators to address a single target (in a fail-over configuration) through an expander. Operating System Support The Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I supports major operating systems, including: • Microsoft Windows Server 2008*, Microsoft Windows Server 2003*, and Microsoft Windows XP* • Red Hat* Enterprise Linux 4.0 and 5.0 • SuSe* Linux Enterprise Server 9 and 10 Note: The operating systems supported by this controller may not be supported by your server board. See the tested operating system list for your server board at http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/. See also the Tested Hardware and Operating System List for the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I to make sure the RAID controller supports your operating system. Benefits of Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) SAS is a serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level device interface that leverages the proven SCSI protocol set. SAS is a convergence of the advantages of SATA, SCSI, and FC, 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 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. SAS controllers leverage a common electrical and physical connection interface that is compatible with Serial ATA technology. The SAS and SATA protocols use a thin, 7-wire connector instead of the 68-wire SCSI cable or 40-wire ATA cable. The SAS/SATA connector and cable are easier to manipulate, allow connections to smaller devices, and do not inhibit airflow. The point-to-point SATA architecture eliminates inherent difficulties created by the legacy ATA master-slave architecture, while maintaining compatibility with existing ATA firmware. 4 Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User's Guide