Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9271-8i
Data protection solution for performance-hungry applications in mid-range server storage environments

Overview:

Unmatched RAID Performance for Next-Generation Servers and Storage

Today’s data center, cloud and high-performance computing environments not only require increased storage capacity to handle massive volumes of data, but are also challenged to protect and deliver data as quickly as possible to meet the needs of applications and end users. To address these performance demands as capacity scales, the newest 6Gb/s SAS RAID controllers from Broadcom off er a powerful combination of intelligent performance, enterprise RAID data protection and proven interoperability with the latest server platforms based on the PCI Express 3.0 specifi cation. The MegaRAID SAS 9271-8i, with eight internal ports, delivers two 800MHz PowerPC® processor cores and a 72-bit DDRIII interface that drives 1GB cache memory. Powered by the LSI SAS 2208 dual-core ROC, the 9271-8i controller includes the latest PCI Express 3.0 and 6Gb/s SAS technology and helps users to maximize the performance benefi ts of solid state storage.

Protect Cached Data with MegaRAID CacheVault™ Technology or BBU

RAID caching is a cost-eff ective way to improve I/O performance by writing data to a controllers’ cache before it is written to disk. In write-back mode, data written to cache is vulnerable until it is made permanent on disk. To avoid the possibility of data loss or corruption during a power or server failure, Broadcom off ers the CacheVault fl ash cache protection module or the LSIiBBU09 battery backup unit for the MegaRAID SAS 9271-8i controller. CacheVault fl ash cache protection uses NAND fl ash memory powered by a super-capacitor to help protect data stored in the MegaRAID controller cache. The RAID controller automatically writes the data in cache memory to fl ash storage when a power failure occurs, while the super-capacitor keeps the current going during the process. When the power comes back, the DRAM is recovered from fl ash storage and the system goes on without loss of data. Customers have the fl exibility to choose a traditional LiON battery solution or a greener, lower total cost of ownership (TCO) cache protection solution with MegaRAID CacheVault technology.

Support for Advanced Software Options

The family of 6Gb/s MegaRAID controllers are designed to support advanced software options that provide white box channel partners with enhanced performance and data protection capabilities. These new software options help enable end users to address key business challenges while helping to deliver a higher return on their IT investments. MegaRAID CacheCade™ Pro 2.0 software and MegaRAID Fast Path software boost transactional I/O performance of solid state disk confi gurations, while MegaRAID Recovery software and MegaRAID SafeStore™ software enable enhanced data protection and security.

Intuitive RAID Management Utility

The MegaRAID Management Suite™ software provides essential tools to manage MegaRAID products, whether deployed in an enterprise or small business. Broadcom off ers a collection of applications and tools including a pre-boot setup utility and a full spectrum of online RAID management utilities. This suite of applications allows administrators to adjust SAS or SATA topology views from the system host, controller and disk enclosure down to the logical and physical drive level. Extending to enterprise deployments, these tools scale to more easily confi gure, monitor and manage RAID and JBOD volumes locally or over the LAN network.