Introduction to the SAS

Serial attached SCSI is a method used to access computer peripheral devices. It employs the digital data transfer over the thin cable. In business enterprise it is used to acess the mass storage devices.

What is SCSI

SCSI is the acronym of small computer system interface. It defines a logical standard to which disk devices must adhere. This standard called common command set. It is a type of parallel bus.

Introduction to SCSI

This interface is a set of standerd for physically connecting and transfer of data between peripheral devices.

Basic component of SAS

1) Initiator.
2) Target 3) Service delivary subsystem 4) Expanders

Initiator
It is a device that originate device service and task management system. It processing by the target device. It is provided as on board component in the motherboard or as a host bus adapter.

Target
A device containing logical unit and target ports that receives device service and task management request. It could be a hard disk or a disk array system.

Service delivery subsystem

It is a part of a I/O system that transmit information between initiator and target. Typecally cable connecting beteen these devices.

Expanders

It is a part of device delivary system and faciliate connection between SAS devices.

Example of SAS

There are many different types of SAS. These are SFF 8482, SFF 8484, SG_XPCIE8SAS_E_Z etc.

SAS Protocol
SAS uses point to point architecture that data between two different SCSI devices. It uses differential signaling for achieving reliable and high speed communication. It inherits its command set from parallel SCSI and uses full duplex communication in the fibre channel. It uses SAS 2 protocol its link rate is 6.2 Gb/s.

Cables of SAS
SAS support active cables, those are thin cables with active circuitry to reduce cable weight and management. Active circuitry have build in driver, repeaters and equalizing filter. It removes the ISI (inter symbol interference), it is a type of distorted signal. Driver and repeater increased the signal to noise ratio by up raising the near end cross talk (NEXT).

SAS Topologies
Topology is a arrangement of links, nodes or computers. It may also be called as the structure of network. LAN is a type of physical topology. SAS has different types of topology. Mainly internal and external. There are lots of other also.

Internal Topology
In this topology RAID system use SAS or SATA drivers. Each drive has point to point connection with the controllers. Maximum eight drives are supported by controllers. A full height HP smart expender card support eight internal drives.

External Topology
In this type of topology the controller connecting to the external storage enclosure. Each controller port incorporate four lanes and total maximum throughput 2400 MB/s. The storage enclosure contains internal 36 port expanders.

Multi Node Cluster

SAS using this topology it is an alternative to the fibre channel local loop topology. It gives you a high availability with no point of failure.

Dual Path Dual Domain Architecture

T10 technological committee SCSI defines as interconnection of two or more SCSI devices. When any part of data pathway domains fails then data transfer has stop because there is no redundant pathway. But in this architecture creates dual path dual domain and redundant pathway for storage.

Zoning
Zoning breaks topology into different logical group for better traffic management. It gives unique ID in each expander PHY to provide secure method for managing SAS devices. All device within zone group can interact with each other.

SAS cable
SAS uses mini SAS 4X external cable plug to connect to the end devices with enclosure universal port. Connector can attached with the out of an enclosure or in port of an enclosure. Connector have icon to identify the type of enclosure. It has a reverse key allow them to accept SAS 2 cable longer than 6 m.

Conclusion
SAS technology with different signaling and active cable continue to evolve and improve. If you looking for high level redundancy then dual domain and dual path configuration helps you. It increased the data availability into the storage network. Data availability is essential for uninterrupted of business operation.

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