Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 UCSC RAID SAS 2008M-8i Mezzanine Card Storage Controller (RAID) 8 Channel

Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 UCSC RAID SAS 2008M-8i Mezzanine Card Storage Controller

The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 UCSC RAID SAS 2008M-8i Mezzanine Card Storage Controller is a crucial hardware component designed to enhance the storage capabilities of your Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) environment. Built with enterprise-level features, it enables high performance and robust data management solutions, especially in demanding applications and workloads. This storage controller offers a variety of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations, providing users with flexibility and reliability for managing storage arrays.

Key Features and Specifications of the Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220

Understanding the key specifications of the Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 is important for IT professionals looking to integrate this mezzanine card into their data center infrastructure. The card supports the SAS 2008M-8i chipset, offering a powerful storage management solution for the UCS C-Series Rack Servers. Below, we explore its key features in detail.

RAID Configuration Support

The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 supports multiple RAID levels including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 50. Each RAID level is designed to provide varying degrees of redundancy, performance, and storage efficiency. Whether you are looking for enhanced performance, high data redundancy, or a balance of both, this storage controller provides the flexibility to meet your needs.

RAID 0 (Striping)

RAID 0 is designed for maximum performance. It spreads data across two or more drives, allowing for faster read and write speeds. However, it does not provide any redundancy, meaning that if one drive fails, all data is lost. This RAID level is ideal for applications that require high-speed access to large volumes of data but do not require fault tolerance.

RAID 1 (Mirroring)

RAID 1 provides data redundancy by mirroring the data across two drives. If one drive fails, the other continues to operate, ensuring no data loss. While this RAID level offers excellent fault tolerance, it comes at the expense of storage capacity since the data is duplicated on both drives. RAID 1 is ideal for mission-critical systems where data availability is essential.

RAID 5 (Striping with Parity)

RAID 5 strikes a balance between performance and redundancy. It distributes data across three or more drives, with parity information stored on each drive. In the event of a single drive failure, the data can be rebuilt using the parity information. RAID 5 offers a good compromise for environments that require fault tolerance without the overhead of RAID 1.

RAID 10 (Combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0)

RAID 10 combines the mirroring of RAID 1 with the striping of RAID 0, offering both improved performance and data redundancy. This configuration requires a minimum of four drives and provides an excellent balance for applications that demand both speed and reliability. RAID 10 is often used in environments where both high availability and high performance are critical.

RAID 50 (Combination of RAID 5 and RAID 0)

RAID 50 combines the features of RAID 5 and RAID 0 to offer high performance, fault tolerance, and data redundancy. It provides enhanced read and write performance compared to RAID 5 alone and can withstand the failure of one drive in each RAID 5 array without losing data. This configuration is suitable for large-scale enterprise applications requiring high availability and efficiency.

SAS and SATA Compatibility

The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 supports both SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) hard drives. This versatility allows users to choose from a range of storage devices based on their performance and cost requirements. The controller supports SAS 6Gbps and SATA 6Gbps, providing fast data transfer rates for both types of drives.

SAS Drives

SAS drives are designed for enterprise environments, offering higher reliability, speed, and durability than consumer-grade SATA drives. SAS drives are often used in applications that require high availability, such as database servers, file servers, and virtualized environments. The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220's support for SAS 6Gbps ensures fast read and write speeds, making it ideal for high-performance applications.

SATA Drives

SATA drives, while generally more affordable than SAS drives, are still capable of delivering excellent performance for less demanding applications. The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 supports SATA 6Gbps, providing faster speeds compared to previous generations of SATA technology. SATA drives are ideal for applications where cost efficiency is a priority, such as archival storage or less intensive workloads.

Channel Support

The UCSC-RAID11C220 features 8 channels, each capable of handling multiple drives simultaneously. This provides users with the flexibility to scale their storage solutions as needed, whether adding more drives for increased capacity or more channels for higher performance. Each channel supports both SAS and SATA drives, further enhancing the flexibility of the storage controller.

Installation and Setup

Installing and configuring the Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 is straightforward, especially within a Cisco UCS environment. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with the UCS C-Series servers, providing a plug-and-play experience. However, it is essential to follow the proper setup procedures to ensure optimal performance and stability.

Hardware Installation

To install the Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220, you will need to ensure your server has a mezzanine slot available for the card. The card is designed to fit into this slot without requiring any additional hardware or adapters. Once inserted into the server, the RAID controller will be automatically detected by the system.

Software Configuration

After the hardware is installed, you can configure the RAID settings through the system’s BIOS or the Cisco UCS Manager. The software allows you to select the desired RAID configuration, assign drives, and create storage volumes. The user interface is intuitive, making it easy for administrators to set up their desired storage configuration.

Benefits of Using Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 in Your Data Center

There are several key advantages to integrating the Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 into your storage infrastructure. These benefits extend beyond simple storage management and include improved performance, reliability, and scalability.

Improved Performance

The RAID controller's ability to handle multiple drives simultaneously and its support for high-speed interfaces such as SAS and SATA 6Gbps significantly enhances data throughput. With support for RAID 0, users can achieve excellent performance for high-bandwidth applications, including database management, virtualization, and high-performance computing workloads.

Data Redundancy and Reliability

Data redundancy is crucial in any enterprise environment. The ability to configure RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, or RAID 50 ensures that critical data remains protected even in the event of drive failure. This level of protection is essential for minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

Scalability

The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220's support for 8 channels allows for easy scalability. As your storage requirements grow, you can simply add more drives or upgrade to faster drives without needing to replace the entire controller. This scalability ensures that your infrastructure can evolve with your business needs without significant additional investments.

Ease of Management

Managing a large storage environment can be complex, but the Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 simplifies this task with its integrated management tools. The UCS Manager software provides administrators with centralized control over storage configuration, monitoring, and maintenance. This reduces the administrative burden and allows for quick response times in case of issues.

Conclusion: Why Choose Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220?

The Cisco UCSC-RAID11C220 is a powerful and versatile storage controller that meets the needs of modern data centers. With support for multiple RAID configurations, high-speed SAS and SATA drives, and robust data protection features, it is an excellent choice for businesses looking to enhance their storage infrastructure. Whether you are building a new data center or upgrading an existing one, the UCSC-RAID11C220 offers the performance, reliability, and scalability you need to support your organization's growing storage requirements.