Pci Express Architecture; Operating System Support - Intel 12Gb/s User Manual

The SAS interface uses the proven SCSI command set to ensure reliable data transfers,
while providing the connectivity and flexibility of point-to-point serial data transfers. The
serial transmission of SCSI commands eliminates clock-skew challenges. The SAS
interface provides improved performance, simplified cabling, smaller connectors, lower
pin count, and lower power requirements when compared to parallel SCSI.
The SAS controllers leverage a common electrical and physical connection interface that
is compatible with Serial ATA technology. The SAS protocols and the SATA III protocols
use a thin, 7-wire connector instead of the 68-wire SCSI cable or 26-wire ATA cable. The
SAS/SATA III connector and cable are easier to manipulate, allow connections to smaller
devices, and do not inhibit airflow. The point-to-point SATA III architecture eliminates
inherent difficulties created by the legacy ATA master-slave architecture, while
maintaining compatibility with existing ATA firmware.

PCI Express Architecture

PCIe is a local bus system designed to increase data transfers without slowing down the
central processing unit (CPU). You can install the 12Gb/s Intel
PCIe computer systems with a standard bracket type. With these controllers in your
system, you can connect SAS devices and SATA devices over the bus.
Note: Some PCIe slots support PCIe graphics cards only; RAID controllers installed in these
PCIe slots do not function.
PCIe goes beyond the PCI specification in that it is intended as a unifying I/O architecture
for various systems: desktops, workstations, mobile devices, servers, communications,
and embedded devices.

Operating System Support

The 12Gb/s Intel
•
Microsoft Windows 2003* R2 SP2, Windows Vista* SP2, Windows 7* Client SP1,
Windows 8*, Windows 2008* SP2, Windows 2008* R2 SP1, and Window Server
2012*
•
Red Hat* Linux
•
SuSE* SLES
•
Ubuntu* Linux
•
VMware*
•
Solaris*
•
XenServer*
•
Oracle* Enterprise Linux (OEL)
Refer to the Intel SAS Device Driver Installation User Guide for more information about
the drivers. To download the latest operating system drivers, go to http://www.intel.com.
12Gb/s Intel® RAID Controllers User Guide
®
RAID Controllers support the following operating systems:
®
RAID Controllers in
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