Broadcom 9460-16I Tri-Mode PCI-E Raid Controller

Overview of the Broadcom 9460-16I Controller

General Details

• Manufacturer: Broadcom
• Part Number: 9460-16I
• Type: SAS-SATA Controller

Technical Specifications

Performance and Capacity

• Cache Protection: Cachevault Cvpm05
• Host Bus Interface: PCI Express® 3.1 with 8 Lanes
• Cache Memory: 4GB DDR4 SDRAM at 2133 MHz
• Data Transfer Rates: 12 Gb/s for SAS-3 and 8 GT/s for PCIe Gen 3 (NVMe) compliant

RAID Management

• Software Tools: LSI Storage Authority (LSA), Storcli (CLI), HII (UEFI Human Interface Infrastructure)
• I/O Processor: Dual-core SAS3516 RAID-on-Chip (ROC)

Connectivity and Ports

• Internal Ports: 16
• Internal Connectors: 4 Mini-SAS HD x4 SFF-8643
• Devices Supported:
  • SAS/SATA: Up to 255
  • NVMe: 4 x4, up to 24 x2 or x4*

Operating Conditions

• Temperature Range: 10°C to 55°C
• Operating Voltage: +12V ±8%, 3.3V ±9%

Software Compatibility

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows
• Additional Support: Contact Oracle Support for Oracle Solaris drivers or software

Interface: PCI-E

The Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller is equipped with a PCI-E interface, which plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and compatibility. The PCI-E (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface is widely recognized as the industry standard for high-speed data transfer between the motherboard and expansion cards. Let's dive into the benefits and importance of this feature for users.

Enhanced Speed and Bandwidth

One of the primary advantages of the PCI-E interface is its ability to provide enhanced speed and bandwidth. With a higher data transfer rate compared to previous interfaces, such as PCI or AGP, PCI-E allows for faster communication between the raid controller and other components of the system. This ultimately leads to improved overall system performance and a more responsive computing experience.

Efficient Data Transmission

The PCI-E interface is designed to efficiently handle large amounts of data. It achieves this by utilizing multiple lanes, each capable of transmitting data simultaneously. The Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller utilizes x16 lanes, providing a substantial amount of bandwidth to ensure smooth data transmission. This is particularly important when dealing with intensive tasks like RAID operations, where large volumes of data need to be processed quickly and accurately.

Compatibility and Scalability

Another significant advantage of PCI-E is its compatibility and scalability. The interface is backward compatible with older versions, meaning it can work seamlessly with motherboards that support previous generations of PCI-E. Additionally, it offers future-proofing capabilities, allowing users to upgrade their systems without worrying about compatibility issues.

With the PCI-E interface, users can easily expand their storage capacity by adding additional RAID controllers or other peripheral devices. This scalability ensures that the Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller can adapt to changing storage requirements, making it a highly versatile and future-proof solution.

Speed: 12Gbps

The Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller boasts an impressive speed of 12Gbps, which is a significant improvement over its predecessors. This high-speed capability brings numerous benefits to users, enhancing their overall storage performance and productivity.

Lightning-Fast Data Transfer

The 12Gbps speed offered by the Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller allows for lightning-fast data transfer between the controller and connected storage devices. Whether you're transferring large files, running resource-intensive applications, or working with multimedia content, the increased speed ensures that data is swiftly processed and accessed, minimizing delays and maximizing productivity.

Reduced Latency

Latency refers to the delay between a command being issued and its execution. With a higher speed of 12Gbps, the Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller significantly reduces latency, enabling quicker response times and smoother performance. This is especially beneficial for users working in demanding environments where every second counts, such as data centers or enterprise-level applications.

Improved System Responsiveness

By leveraging the 12Gbps speed, the Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller enhances overall system responsiveness. Applications load faster, files open quickly, and data retrieval becomes nearly instantaneous. This improved responsiveness translates into a more efficient workflow, saving valuable time and boosting productivity.

Supported Devices: SAS, SATA, NVME

The Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller offers support for a wide range of storage devices, including SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), SATA (Serial ATA), and NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express). This versatility provides users with flexibility in choosing the most suitable storage options for their specific needs.

Diverse Storage Options

With support for SAS, SATA, and NVMe, the Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller can accommodate a diverse range of storage devices. SAS drives are typically used in enterprise-level environments due to their high performance and reliability. SATA drives, on the other hand, are more commonly found in consumer-grade systems, offering a cost-effective solution for personal storage needs. NVMe drives, with their lightning-fast speeds and low latency, are ideal for high-performance applications that require rapid data access.

Efficient Data Management

The ability to support multiple storage device types allows users to efficiently manage their data based on their specific requirements. By utilizing different drive types, users can allocate storage resources according to the workload characteristics. For example, high-performance applications can be stored on NVMe drives for maximum speed, while less demanding data can be stored on SATA drives to optimize cost-effectiveness.

Future-Proofing and Compatibility

The support for SAS, SATA, and NVMe ensures future-proofing and compatibility. Users can seamlessly integrate existing storage devices into their system or upgrade to newer technologies without worrying about compatibility issues. This flexibility allows users to adapt to changing storage needs and take advantage of emerging technologies as they become available.

Raid Levels Supported: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, RAID 6

The Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller supports a wide range of RAID levels, providing users with various options for data protection, performance optimization, and storage efficiency.

Enhanced Data Protection

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) levels such as RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 6 offer different levels of redundancy and data protection. By distributing data across multiple drives or creating mirror copies, these RAID levels ensure that data remains intact even if one or more drives fail. This redundancy minimizes the risk of data loss and provides peace of mind to users, especially in critical applications where data integrity is paramount.

Improved Performance

Certain RAID levels, such as RAID 0 and RAID 10, are designed to optimize performance by striping data across multiple drives. This allows for parallel data access and significantly improves read and write speeds. Users working with demanding applications, such as video editing or database management, can benefit from the enhanced performance provided by these RAID levels.

Storage Efficiency

RAID levels like RAID 5 and RAID 6 offer storage efficiency by utilizing parity-based techniques. These techniques allow for efficient use of drive capacity, minimizing wasted space and maximizing storage utilization. This is particularly advantageous in scenarios where storage capacity is a concern, such as in small businesses or home environments with limited resources.

Tri Mode Support: 1

The Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller features Tri Mode Support, allowing users to connect SAS, SATA, and NVMe devices simultaneously. This feature brings several benefits to users seeking a versatile storage solution.

Flexible Storage Configuration

Tri Mode Support enables users to create a flexible storage configuration that suits their specific needs. By connecting SAS, SATA, and NVMe devices simultaneously, users can take advantage of the unique characteristics offered by each storage technology. This flexibility empowers users to design a storage system that balances performance, capacity, and cost-effectiveness based on their individual requirements.

Optimized Workloads

Different workloads have varying demands in terms of speed, capacity, and reliability. With Tri Mode Support, users can optimize their workloads by utilizing the most appropriate storage devices for each task. For example, NVMe drives can be used for high-performance applications that require rapid data access, while SAS or SATA drives can be allocated for less demanding tasks. This level of customization ensures that users can achieve the best performance and efficiency for their specific workloads.

Investment Protection

Tri Mode Support offers investment protection by future-proofing storage infrastructure. As storage technologies evolve, users can seamlessly integrate new devices into their existing system without requiring significant changes or replacements. This compatibility ensures that users can leverage the latest advancements in storage technology without incurring additional costs or disruptions.

In summary, the Broadcom 9460-16I Raid Controller's PCI-E interface, 12Gbps speed, support for SAS, SATA, and NVMe devices, compatibility with various RAID levels, and Tri Mode Support make it a robust and versatile solution for users seeking high-performance, scalable, and reliable storage capabilities. Whether it's for enterprise-level deployments or personal computing needs, this raid controller delivers the necessary features and benefits to enhance storage performance and optimize data management.