SAS expander ICs offer scalability

LSI Logic Corp. is sampling 3Gbps serial attached SCSI (SAS) 28- and 36-port expander ICs that are designed to provide large storage environments with scalability and fault-tolerant path redundancy.

The LSISASx28 and LSISASx36 expander ICs integrate an ARM processor for enclosure management and extended SAS and SMP functions. They provide enclosure services such as drive management. And they also support many options to carry out enclosure management, including a backward compatible interface to an external processor using existing code.

The LSISASx28 and LSISASx36 also feature PHY-based zoning for network security applications and initiator functions, such as self-discovery and self-configuration. The LSISASx28 and LSISASx36 expander ICs offer a common programming model for internal and external SEP support.

"This is the sixth generation of expander IC products that LSI Logic has brought to market. Our experience in development, validation and interoperability testing dramatically reduces customer risk," said Robin Wagner, director of product marketing for LSI Storage Components Group, in a statement. "The x28 and x36 SAS expander ICs provide enterprise customers with a drive connection choice at next-generation speeds and proven interoperability."

Both high-port count expander ICs support 1.5Gbps and 3Gbps SAS and serial ATA (SATA) data transfer rates per port. Both are fully interoperable with the company's other SAS component products.

The expander ICs are compliant with the ANSI SAS specification and support SATA. The company cited several benefits of SAS, including improved performance, simplified cabling, smaller connectors, a lower pin count, and lower power requirements. SAS also has an electrical and physical connection interface, which is compatible with SATA technology.

The LSISASx28 and LSISASx36 expanders are claimed to be low-cost alternatives to complex offerings found in high-availability and scalable server clustering environments and storage subsystems used in clusters, SAN and NAS environments.

- Ismini Scouras

eeProductCenter