Intel SASMF8I User Guide - Page 19

Connecting the Cables This section describes the cables used on the SAS controller and provides instructions for connecting SAS and SATA hard disk drives to the SAS RAID controller. Note: Use only "straight" SAS cables, not "cross-over" SAS cables. The cable supplied with the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I is for SATA drives or a SAS backplane connection. A SATA connector consists of a signal connector and a power connector. The SAS connector adds a bridge (primary physical link) between the signal connector and the power connector. This means SAS backplane connectors can accept either drive type, but SATA backplane connectors can ONLY accept SATA drives. Figure 3 shows these connectors. Figure 3. SAS and SATA Plugs and SAS Backplane Connector Configuring the Storage Adapter After installing the Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I, you must configure the storage adapter and install the operating system driver. The Intel® IT/IR RAID Intel® IT/IR RAID Software User's Guide instructs you on the configuration options and how to set them on your Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I, and provides detailed installation instructions for operating system drivers. Intel® RAID Controller SASMF8I Hardware User's Guide 9