[Overclock Reviews]

Lsi Internal SATA/SAS 9211-8i 6Gb/s PCI-Express 2.0 RAID Controller Card, Kit

Description:
The LSI SAS 9211-8i host bus adapter provides the greatest available throughput to internal server storage arrays through eight internal 6Gb/s ports, driving up to 256 SAS and SATA physical devices. This HBA offers dynamic SAS functionality including dual-port drive redundancy and SATA compatibility. Utilizing two internal x4 SFF8087 Mini-SAS connectors, the low-profile SAS 9211-8i is an excellent fit for 1U and 2U servers. The SAS 9211-8i utilizes the embedded CPU in the LSI SAS2008 controller to perform integrated RAID 0, 1, 1E and 10 operations for reliable data protection with high-availability. The result is an ultra-thin, low-overhead device driver communicating over the x8 PCI Express 2.0 host interface. By reducing RAID code overhead, this HBA delivers high-speed READ/WRITE performance, making it well suited for medium to high-capacity internal storage applications. Internal Connectors: 2 x SFF-8087 mini-SAS Transfer Rate: Up to 6Gb/s RAID: RAID 0/1/1E/10 Dimensions: 8.0" x 10.25" x 2.5" Features: Flexible SATA+SAS array architecture optimizes cost 8 internal high-speed SAS ports for maximum storage connectivity 6Gb/s per port delivers 4800 MB/s full duplex SATA+SAS interconnect proven through the LSI robust serial technology Environmentally friendly due to low-power consumption Integrated RAID avoids additional host CPU overhead Package Contents: SAS 9211-8i HBA QIG LP bracket driver & manual CD 2 SAS cables Parts: 3 years limited

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Works for what I wanted

review by lady fitzgerald

I needed more SATA ports for my desktop computer but didn't need capability for RAID so this HBA (Host Bus Adapter) fit the bill perfectly. The directions that came with it were confusing for me but, when I plugged it in and fired up the computer, Win 7 found a driver for it and it worked perfectly from the box. Some may find the limited RAID options (0, 1, 1E, 10; who the heck uses 1E?) to be a problem but, if one doesn't want to run RAID or want to run one of the few RAID options available, then this card will be perfect for the job and costs far less than most RAID cards.

The only downside is the little heat sink gets seriously hot! So far, that hasn't been a problem. I put it in the bottom PCI-e x8 slot so it could get plenty of air. The side fan of my case directs additional air to the heat sink which seems to work well despite the heat sink fins running perpendicular to the airflow.

Edit: I discovered this is not compatible with TRIM for SSDs.

Pros	Cons
Provides 8 additional SATA III ports	Limited RAID

Ratings

Overall

4

 

[incurablegeek]

Works for what I wanted

review by lady fitzgerald

I purchased two of the SAS3041E-R Raid 4PORT Sas Pcie 3GB/S Ir ROHS6 for a total of $300.00.

After many hours of trying to make them work, I eventually gave up and threw them in the back room with other products that are defective.

My last dance with LSI.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Works for what I wanted

review by lady fitzgerald

Those are different boards from the one being reviewed here. It may be that everything else LSI makes is mung (although reviews I've see don't support that) but the one I reviewed has been running ten months without a hiccup. Where did you get the ones you got? If they didn't work when you received them, I would think you could have returned them unless they were from a dodgy source.

 

[incurablegeek]

Works for what I wanted

review by lady fitzgerald

I buy everything from Amazon, their service being beyond excellent.

Yes, you are absolutely right. I should have returned them. Shame on me for being a turtle.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Works for what I wanted

review by lady fitzgerald

Btw, don't buy this card from the link provided. NewEgg and Amazon have listings for just the card only without the SAS cables. You can buy the cables separately for less and you can make sure you get the correct ones (for connecting to HDDs and other SATA devices, you need forward breakout cables, such as the 3WARE Cable Multi-lane Internal Cable (SFF-8087). Each cable will feed up to four SATA devices and you will need two for each card. There are other lengths available.

 

[xwzok]

Works for what I wanted

review by lady fitzgerald

I have had to RMA this card twice this year, and I have a dedicated fan blowing directly on the heat sink. I was running this with 8 3T Red drives in Raid 6. I typically got 3-4 months, then sudden failure. The heat sink is woefully inadequate. However, LSI RMA was very prompt, so can't fault that, but soon my warranty will expire. System was linux md raid 6, not using the built in LSI raid. If you want full bandwidth, make sure you don't have a video card taking up lanes on the pci express. When it works, it works great, just that its lifespan is in months when you'd hope it was years.