Intel RMSP3AD16OF Hardware User's Manual page 54

Intel® RAID Modules RMSP3AD160F, RMSP3CD080F and RMSP3HD080E Hardware User Guide
Term
NVRAM
PCI
PCI Express
peripheral devices
PHY
RAID
RAID levels
SAS
SAS device
SATA
SMP
Acronym for nonvolatile random access memory. An EEPROM (electronically erasable read-only
memory) chip that stores configuration information. See EEPROM.
Acronym for peripheral component interconnect. A high-performance, local bus specification that
allows the connection of devices directly to computer memory. The PCI Local Bus allows
transparent upgrades from 32-bit data path at 33 MHz to 64-bit data path at 33 MHz, and from
32-bit data path at 66 MHz to 64-bit data path at 66 MHz.
Acronym for peripheral component interconnect Express. A high-performance, local bus
specification that allows the connection of devices directly to computer memory. PCI Express is a
two-way, serial connection that transfers data on two pairs of point- to-point data lines. PCI
Express goes beyond the PCI specification in that it is intended as a unifying I/O architecture for
various systems: desktops, workstations, mobile, server, communications, and embedded
devices.
A piece of hardware (such as a video monitor, drive, printer, or CD-ROM) used with a computer and
under the control of the computer. SCSI peripherals are controlled through an Intel® RAID
Controller (host adapter).
The interface required to transmit and receive data packets transferred across the serial bus.
Each PHY can form one side of the physical link in a connection with a PHY on a different SAS
device. The physical link contains four wires that form two differential signal pairs. One differential
pair transmits signals, while the other differential pair receives signals. Both differential pairs
operate simultaneously and allow concurrent data transmission in both, thereceive and the
transmit directions.
Acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks (originally Redundant Array of Inexpensive
Disks). An array (group) of multiple independent drives managed together to yield higher
reliability, performance, or both exceeding that of a single drive. The RAID array appears to the
controller as a single storage unit. I/O is expedited because several drives can be accessed
simultaneously. Redundant RAID levels (RAID levels 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60) provide data
protection.
A set of techniques applied to drive groups to deliver higher data availability, performance
characteristics, or both to host environments. Each virtual drive must have a RAID level assigned
to it.
Acronym for Serial Attached SCSI. A serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level device interface that
leverages the proven SCSI protocol set. The SAS interface provides improved performance,
simplified cabling, smaller connections, lower pin count, and lower power requirements when
compared to parallel SCSI. SAS controllers leverage a common electrical and physical connection
interface that is compatible with Serial ATA.
The SAS controllers support the ANSI Serial Attached SCSI Standard, Version 2.0. In addition, the
controller supports the Serial ATA III (SATA III) protocol defined by the Serial ATA Specification,
Version 3.0. Supporting both the SAS interface and the SATA III interface, the SAS controller is a
versatile controller that provides the backbone of both server and high-end workstation
environments. Each port on the SAS RAID controller supports SAS devices, SATA devices, or both.
Any device that conforms to the SAS standard and is attached to the SAS bus by a SAS cable. This
includes SAS RAID controllers (host adapters) and SAS peripherals.
Acronym for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. A physical storage interface standard, SATA
is a serial link that provides point-to-point connections between devices. The thinner serial cables
allow for better airflow within the system and permit smaller chassis designs.
Acronym for Serial Management Protocol. SMP communicates topology management
information directly with an attached SAS expander device. Each PHY on the controller can
function as an SMP initiator.
Description
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