Broadcom 9361-16I 16 Internal Ports Raid Controller 12GBPS SAS

Number Of Internal Ports

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller is equipped with a remarkable feature - 16 internal ports. This substantial number of internal ports provides users with numerous benefits and significantly enhances their storage capabilities. In this section, we will delve into the importance and advantages of this feature, exploring its impact on storage capacity, flexibility, and overall performance.

Expanded Storage Capacity

One of the primary advantages of the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's 16 internal ports is the expanded storage capacity it offers. With each internal port capable of connecting to a separate storage device, users can connect up to 16 drives directly to the controller. This allows for an extensive range of storage options and the ability to accommodate a substantial amount of data.

The increased storage capacity is particularly beneficial for businesses and organizations that deal with large volumes of data such as media files, databases, or virtualized environments. With 16 internal ports at their disposal, users can effortlessly manage their growing data requirements without the need for additional controllers or complex configurations.

Enhanced Flexibility

The 16 internal ports in the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller also provide users with enhanced flexibility in managing their storage infrastructure. With a multitude of internal ports available, users have the freedom to mix and match different types of drives based on their specific needs.

For instance, users can connect a combination of solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs) to optimize performance and cost-effectiveness. SSDs can be utilized for applications that require high-speed data access, while HDDs can be used for bulk storage at a lower cost per gigabyte. This versatility allows users to tailor their storage configuration according to their workload requirements, achieving an optimal balance between performance and capacity.

Improved Performance

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's 16 internal ports also contribute to improved performance. With multiple internal ports, the controller can distribute data across multiple drives in parallel, enabling faster read and write operations. This distributed data access significantly reduces latency and improves overall system responsiveness.

Furthermore, the increased number of internal ports allows for efficient load balancing. By spreading the workload across multiple drives, the controller can prevent bottlenecks and maximize the utilization of each drive. This results in improved performance during peak workloads and ensures smooth and uninterrupted data access.

High Availability

Another important aspect of the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's 16 internal ports is the high availability it brings to storage systems. By connecting multiple drives to different internal ports, users can implement various redundancy configurations such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) to ensure data integrity and minimize the risk of data loss.

RAID Levels Supported

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 50, and 6. These RAID levels offer different combinations of data striping, mirroring, and parity to provide various levels of performance, fault tolerance, and capacity utilization.

RAID 0: Performance Enhancement

RAID 0, also known as striping, can significantly enhance performance by distributing data across multiple drives. This level does not provide any fault tolerance but offers improved read and write speeds since multiple drives can work in parallel. With the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's 16 internal ports, users can create large RAID 0 arrays, leveraging the speed advantages of striping to accelerate data-intensive tasks.

RAID 1: Data Redundancy

RAID 1, or disk mirroring, duplicates data across two drives, ensuring redundancy and data protection. If one drive fails, the other drive contains an exact copy of the data, allowing for seamless operation and minimal downtime. With 16 internal ports, users can connect multiple pairs of mirrored drives, providing an extra layer of protection for critical data.

RAID 5 and RAID 50: Performance and Fault Tolerance

RAID 5 and RAID 50 offer a balance between performance and fault tolerance. RAID 5 distributes parity information across multiple drives, allowing data reconstruction in case of a single drive failure. RAID 50 combines the benefits of RAID 5 with striping across multiple RAID 5 arrays. The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's support for these RAID levels enables users to achieve both performance optimization and fault tolerance.

RAID 6: Enhanced Data Protection

RAID 6 provides enhanced data protection by distributing dual parity information across multiple drives. This level allows for the simultaneous failure of two drives without any data loss. With the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's support for RAID 6, users can ensure a higher level of fault tolerance and peace of mind for their critical data.

Interface Type

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller utilizes the PCI-E 3.0 interface type, offering users several benefits in terms of performance, bandwidth, and compatibility.

Enhanced Performance

The PCI-E 3.0 interface type provides significant performance enhancements over its predecessors. It offers higher data transfer rates and increased bandwidth capacity, allowing for faster communication between the controller and the system's motherboard. This improved performance translates into superior overall system responsiveness, reduced latency, and accelerated data transfers.

Increased Bandwidth

The utilization of the PCI-E 3.0 interface type in the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller ensures ample bandwidth availability for demanding storage workloads. With 16 internal ports, the controller can handle large volumes of data simultaneously, leveraging the increased bandwidth capacity of the interface. This ensures smooth data flow and prevents any potential performance bottlenecks.

Backward Compatibility

The PCI-E 3.0 interface type maintains backward compatibility with previous PCI-E generations. This means that users can seamlessly integrate the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller into their existing systems without any compatibility concerns. Whether users have a system equipped with a PCI-E 2.0 or PCI-E 1.0 interface, they can still take advantage of the controller's advanced features and capabilities.

Future-Proofing

By utilizing the PCI-E 3.0 interface type, the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller ensures future-proofing for users' storage infrastructure. As technology continues to advance, newer systems and components may rely exclusively on the latest interface standards. By investing in a controller that supports PCI-E 3.0, users can ensure compatibility with future systems and avoid potential hardware limitations.

Memory Type

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller is equipped with 2GB of DDR III memory, providing users with several benefits that enhance storage performance and efficiency.

Cache Memory

The 2GB DDR III memory in the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller serves as cache memory, facilitating faster access to frequently accessed data. By storing frequently used data in the cache, the controller can reduce latency and improve overall system performance. This is particularly beneficial for workloads that involve random read and write operations, such as database applications or virtualized environments.

Improved Data Integrity

The DDR III memory also plays a crucial role in ensuring data integrity. As data is written to the controller, it is temporarily stored in the cache memory before being written to the drives. This allows the controller to perform error checking and correction on the data, minimizing the risk of data corruption or loss. The 2GB DDR III memory provides ample space for buffering and enhances the reliability of data storage.

Efficient Data Processing

The presence of DDR III memory in the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller enables efficient data processing and management. The controller can utilize the cache memory to optimize data access patterns, identifying and prioritizing frequently accessed data. This intelligent caching mechanism results in faster response times and improved overall system efficiency.

Write Caching

Write caching is another significant advantage offered by the DDR III memory in the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller. By temporarily storing write operations in cache before writing them to the drives, the controller can optimize the order and timing of write operations. This improves write performance, especially when dealing with small random writes, as it allows for efficient aggregation and organization of data before committing it to the drives.

Data Protection

Furthermore, with DDR III memory acting as cache, the controller can implement power loss protection mechanisms. In case of a sudden power loss, the cached data can be safely written back to the drives upon system recovery, preventing data loss or corruption.

Form Factor

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller comes in a compact MD2 form factor, offering users convenience and versatility in various deployment scenarios.

Space Efficiency

The MD2 form factor is designed to maximize space efficiency without compromising performance or functionality. Its compact size allows users to install the controller in tight spaces or dense server environments where space is limited. This makes it an ideal choice for compact servers or blade systems, enabling users to optimize their storage capacity without sacrificing valuable rack space.

Hot-Pluggable Design

The MD2 form factor also features a hot-pluggable design, allowing users to install or remove the controller without powering down the system. This is particularly advantageous in scenarios where uninterrupted operation is critical, such as in enterprise environments or data centers. The hot-pluggable design ensures minimal downtime and enhances the overall availability of the storage infrastructure.

Compatibility

The MD2 form factor is widely supported across various server platforms, ensuring compatibility with a range of systems and configurations. Whether users have a tower server, rack-mount server, or blade system, they can easily integrate the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller into their infrastructure. This flexibility allows users to leverage the controller's advanced features regardless of their specific hardware setup.

Data Transfer Rate

The Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller boasts an impressive data transfer rate of 12Gbps, offering users significant advantages in terms of speed, responsiveness, and scalability.

High-Speed Data Transfer

The 12Gbps data transfer rate enables blazing-fast communication between the controller and the connected drives. This high-speed transfer ensures rapid access to data and minimizes latency, resulting in improved system performance and reduced waiting times.

Reduced Backup and Restore Times

The increased data transfer rate greatly reduces backup and restore times, allowing users to efficiently protect and recover their valuable data. Whether it's performing regular backups or restoring critical information during disaster recovery scenarios, the 12Gbps data transfer rate ensures swift data movement, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

Efficient Workflows

The improved data transfer rate also enhances workflows that involve large file transfers, such as media production or scientific research. Users can transfer large files or datasets within the shortest possible time, enabling seamless collaboration and accelerating time-critical processes.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

The 12Gbps data transfer rate provides ample bandwidth for current storage demands while also ensuring compatibility with future storage technologies. As storage devices continue to evolve, users can rest assured that the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's high data transfer rate will support upcoming hardware advancements. This scalability allows users to future-proof their storage infrastructure and avoid potential bottlenecks as their storage needs grow.

In conclusion, the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller's impressive features, such as 16 internal ports, support for various RAID levels, PCI-E 3.0 interface type, 2GB DDR III memory, MD2 form factor, and 12Gbps data transfer rate, offer users a powerful and versatile storage solution. These features enhance storage capacity, flexibility, performance, data protection, compatibility, and scalability. Whether it's for businesses dealing with extensive data volumes or individuals seeking reliable and high-performance storage capabilities, the Broadcom 9361-16I SAS Controller proves to be an exceptional choice.