12Gb SAS Technology - World's Fastest Data Transfers
Why is 12Gb
Important?
Challenge
Strong demand from high-performance database, analytics,
streaming video and other applications is driving the need
for improved access time to stored data. Revolutionary new
server and workstation architectures are part of the solution.
Additionally, solid state storage devices are providing a boost
to performance and reducing latencies in a cost-effective way.
Nevertheless, IT professionals who need better, faster and more
efficient storage options are looking for a cohesive solution.
Upgrading to an ATTO ExpressSAS 12Gb SAS/SATA Host Bus
Adapter (HBA) is an ideal way to overcome this obstacle.
Solution
ATTO 12Gb SAS/SATA HBAs double the performance over previous
generations of HBAs and offer fresh new features that reduce
downtime, improve efficiency and save money on the bottom
line. They provide more flexibility for connecting to storage while
greatly decreasing latency to drives, making it easier to manage
the overall storage infrastructure and improve connection
diagnostic capabilities, all at a lower total cost of ownership.
Performance
12Gb SAS/SATA data transfer rates are up to 1200 MB/s for each
connection. Simply put – it is twice as fast as 6Gb SAS/SATA. Pair
this performance gain with PCIe 3.0 host computer bus speeds
and the adapter is capable of delivering performance of up to 8000
MB/s. This allows users to run faster backups, complete more On-
Line Transactions or deliver more streams of video concurrently.
The ability to move twice as much data means one 12Gb
SAS/SATA controller is required instead of two similar 6Gb
controllers to accomplish the same tasks. Users will realize a
lower total cost of ownership with reduced initial hardware
costs, decreased management costs, lower power consumption,
lower heat output, fewer cables and the use of fewer PCI slots.
Improved Efficiency & Usability
To ease the transition to 12Gb SAS/
SATA, customers can take advantage
of a new feature: End Device Frame
Buffering. A SAS host connection
can physically connect to multiple
SAS or SATA drives through a
SAS Expander. 6Gb SAS adapters
support multiplexing, which allows
multiple 3Gb SATA drives to share
a connection to a 6Gb SAS host
adapter. This works great for 3Gb
SATA drives but adds no value to
6Gb SATA drives. The difficulty is
that when SATA drives are used, they will hold the connection
to the host open until all of the data for a particular command
is transferred, essentially starving the other SATA drives on that
connection. This challenge is eliminated with 12Gb SAS/SATA
End Device Frame Buffering as this technology efficiently allows
multiple SATA drives to share a host connection.
With 12Gb SAS/SATA, each link is capable of 1200
MB/s. With the exception of Solid State Drives, storage
devices are not capable of saturating the link. With End
Device Frame Buffering, more drives can work in parallel,
increasing the overall performance of the system.
This technology also protects
your current investment in
6Gb SAS/SATA storage as you
can continue to use existing
6Gb drives with a 12Gb host
adapter and realize a significant
performance increase.
Reduced Downtime
Migrating from 6Gb to 12Gb SAS/SATA provides new cabling options through
the use of Mini-SAS HD connectors. Not only do they require a smaller foot print,
these new connectors incorporate intelligence in the cabling. Problems related
to performance, access errors and latency can all be attributed to intermittent
cable issues. Additionally, it can be difficult to determine that a cable is the
cause of these problems.
Figure 3
shows a small three node cluster connected
to several SAS RAID storage arrays. In this small installation, there are four (4)
SAS cables per node for a total of 12 cables. Narrowing down a problem to a
cable can be a daunting task, even in this small cluster. Using an ATTO 12Gb
SAS/SATA adapter, operators can quickly troubleshoot cable problems. A cable that is generating errors, or simply showing a lack of
connectivity, is reported to the operating system so the operator can quickly determine the defective cable, saving time and money.
The Bottom Line
Upgrading to ATTO 12Gb SAS/SATA HBAs is not only a good
investment for the future, but a simple way to improve
the overall value of a storage system at minimal cost.
ATTO’s family of 12Gb SAS/SATA HBAs help maximize your
productivity through cutting edge technologies associated with
12Gb SAS, including ADS™ Technology. To learn more, visit
www.attotech.com or contact an ATTO sales representative.
Make the switch to 12Gb
•
Instant performance enhancement
•
Increase ROI on existing 6Gb SAS/SATA drive infrastructure
•
Seamless transition from 6Gb SAS/SATA to 12Gb SAS/SATA
•
Reduced downtime and easy troubleshooting
with ATTO cable management