[SOLVED] SAS Expander Chip... Expansion or Breakout Cable or Board? Does such a thing exist?

[eduncan911]

I have an onboard 8-Port HBA SAS3 controller that I'd like to snake into a 1U chassis that holds 12x LFF (the infamous NR12000).

Problem statement: so how would one connect 14x SAS drives (2x SLOG) to an 8-port controller?

Usual answer: Backplanes baby!

However, there is no backplane here.

Is there some type of LSI SAS Expander chip "breakout board" that had like the 28 connectors or breakout SFF connectors?

Think backplane, but with SAS cables to each drive instead of a solid PCB.

 

[eduncan911]

My mind is starting to go into dangerous territory here...

"Humm, I have a spare SC846 SAS backplane with the LSI Expander on it. If I was to, say, find some male SAS connectors, connect to the backplane, and run all the cables to each drive... What type of enclosure do I need to build around that. Oh, I have a spare 2U empty chassis I could cram this contraption into."

Get me out of this dangerous idea! Lol.

 

[BlueFox]

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 Product Specifications

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

 

[eduncan911]

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 Product Specifications

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

Perfect! My search-fu just didn't have the right keywords.

Now, to find it cheap... Thanks man!

 

[eduncan911]

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 Product Specifications

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

Perfect!

- has 36 ports!
- can allow 8 input and 28 output, just like the LSI variants!

Now the only question is, does it work with the LSI 3008?

I'll start digging. Do you know if about any LSI (or non-Intel controller) compatibility?

 

[UhClem]

==>

Now the only question is, does it work with the LSI 3008?

I'll start digging. Do you know if about any LSI (or non-Intel controller) compatibility?

Standards <== are your friend!

Now, to find it cheap...

The Adaptec AEC-82885T is a functional equal to that Intel (both use same PMC chip), and usually much le$$.

 

[i386]

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 Product Specifications

Intel® Storage Expander RES3TV360 quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

Not sure if this will work in a 1u chassis as the ports will point towards the top