Sas/Sata Interoperability - Compaq BL10e - HP ProLiant - 512 MB RAM Manual

SAS/SATA interoperability

Using the SAS interface, SAS drives, SATA drives, or a mix of both SAS and SATA drives will function
in the same storage enclosure. With this broad range of storage solutions (Figure 4), IT managers can
choose storage devices based on reliability, performance, and cost. Because the SAS architecture
features a proven SCSI command set, advanced command queuing, and advanced verification/error
correction, SAS is the ideal solution for mission-critical enterprise storage applications.
SAS supports three protocols to handle communications with various devices:
Serial Management Protocol (SMP) – manages the point-to-point topology of expanders and
enclosures
Serial SCSI Protocol (SSP) – facilitates communication with SAS devices and existing SCSI software
SATA Tunneling Protocol (STP) – allows SAS controllers to communicate with SATA devices through
expanders
Figure 4. The SAS architecture provides flexible solutions ranging from entry level NAS in desktop
environments to mission-critical RAID systems that complement Fibre Channel technology.
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