Dell Perc 5i User Guide

Overview9
Overview
The Dell™ Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) 5/iR controller is Dell’s next generation of controller with 
integrated redundant array of independent disk s (RAID) capabilities. SAS technology is not 
backward compatible with the previous generation  of SCSI devices. The SAS 5/iR Adapter is a 
half-length, standard-height PCI-E card, while the SA S 5/iR Integrated is embedded in the platform 
hardware. The SAS 5/iR Adapter is supported on platforms with PCI-E x8 or x16 connectors.
Figure 1-1....

10Overview
About RAID
RAID is a group of multiple independent physical disks that provide  high performance by increasing the 
number of drives used for saving and accessing da ta. A RAID disk subsystem improves I/O performance 
and data availability. The physical disk group appears  to the host system as a single storage unit or as 
multiple logical units. Data throughput improves beca use multiple disks can be accessed simultaneously. 
RAID systems also improve data stor age availability and fault...

Overview11
Integrated Mirroring
With Integrated Mirroring (RAID 1), data written to one disk is simultaneously written to another disk. 
If one disk fails, the contents of the other disk ca n be used to run the system and rebuild the failed 
physical disk. The primary advantage of Integrated  Mirroring is that it provides 100 percent data 
redundancy. Because the contents of the disk are compl etely written to a second disk, it does not matter 
if one of the disks fails. Both disk s contain the same...

12Overview
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SAS 5/iR Features13
SAS 5/iR Features
This section provides the specifications of Dell™ Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) 5/iR controller. The 
following table compares the specifications of  the SAS 5/iR Adapter and SAS 5/iR Integrated.
Table 2-1. Specifications of SAS 5/iR
Specification SAS 5/iR Adap ter SAS 5/iR Integrated
SAS technology Yes Yes
Support for x4, x8, or x16 PCI 
Express Host Interface Ye s Ye s
Fo r m  Fa c t o r Standard-Height, Half-Length PCI 
AdapterN/A
I/O controller (IOC) LSI SAS 1068...

14SAS 5/iR Features
Hot add / Hot remove of end devices Yes Yes
SMART error support through 
management applicationsYe s Ye s
Hardware-based RAID RAID 0, RAID 1 RAID 0, RAID 1
Storage management software OpenManage Storage Services, SAS 
RAID Storage ManagerOpenManage Storage Services, 
SAS RAID Storage Manager
Support for internal tape drive Yes No
Table 2-1. Specifications of SAS 5/iR 
(continued)
Specification SAS 5/iR Ad apter SAS 5/iR Integrated
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Hardware Installation15
Hardware Installation
This chapter describes how to install the Dell™ Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) 5/iR Adapter.
 NOTE: The SAS 5/iR Integrated is embedded on the system  motherboard and does not require any installation. 
See your system’s  Hardware Owner’s Manual  or the User’s Guide  for instructions.
Installing the SAS 5/iR Adapter
 CAUTION: For some systems, only trained  service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover 
and access any of the components inside the...

16Hardware Installation
Figure 3-1. Installing a SAS 5/iR Adapter
7Tighten the bracket screw, if any, or use the system’s retention clips to secure the controller to the 
system’s chassis.
8Connect the cables from the end devices or the  backplane of the system to the controller. 
See Figure 3-2.
1 bracket screw 2SAS 5/iR Adapter 3PCI-E slot
4 PCI bracket 5filler bracket
3
2
4 1
5
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Hardware Installation17
Figure 3-2. Connecting the Cable
9Replace the cover of the system. See your system’s Hardware Owner’s Manual or the User’s Guide for 
more information on closing the system.
10Reconnect the power cable(s) and network  cables, and then turn on the system.
 NOTE: Ensure that you do not connect a hard disk and tape drive  to the same SAS 5/iR Adapter. 
 
NOTE: For information on connecting your SAS 5i/R  controller to a tape drive see your system’s Hardware 
Owner’s Manual .
1
SAS...

18Hardware Installation
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