SAS and me ...

[dowxp]

Hi,
I'm planning a 12 drive raid 6 array using the following chassis:

supermicro.com/products/chassis/2U/826/SC826E2-R800LP.cfm

I'm confused on the following:

*I realize the backplane comes with a SAS expander already built in. but why does it advertise 28 port? It doesn't even have 28 bays .. I don't see the correlation.

*can a SFF8087 cable carry EITHER 4 SATA devices or a SAS signal? I am told to use a 8087 to connect the expander to the HBA.

I hope someone who knows more than me can clear this up.

Thanks!

 

[Dangman]

*I realize the backplane comes with a SAS expander already built in. but why does it advertise 28 port? It doesn't even have 28 bays .. I don't see the correlation.

I think it means that you can add more drives via an external or add-on enclosure connected to the SAS expander.

*can a SFF8087 cable carry EITHER 4 SATA devices or a SAS signal? I am told to use a 8087 to connect the expander to the HBA.

Yes.

 

[dowxp]

Thank you for your response.

 

[jschuricht]

12 ports for bays, 4 for input, 8 for output to more expanders. Not sure where the other 4 may be, probably just using a 28 port expander chip, may not have 28 actual ports.