SAS Connector and Its Applications

Today’s predominant server storage interface for the enterprise environment, SAS connectors (Serial Attached SCSI)- a successor to parallel SCSI has been around for a while now. This specification relies on parallel transmission of data streams for device-level attachment. In recent years, the SAS specifications have gone through various improvements, although the underlying protocol has remained the same. However, the specifications of the external interface SAS connector have undergone many changes.

Why is SAS ideal in the parallel transmission of data?

To meet the advancing system and application requirements in industries, the use of parallel technology, including signal skew and crosstalk, cable, and device accessibility can be a barrier in providing the throughput performance needed. However, SAS has adapted to the market environment with continuous adjustments made, the specification has become increasingly mature. 

In an attempt to find a method that will create a stable, fast, and reliable method of data transmission and database, the connectors have become the only choice as a replacement tool. SAS has been very quickly adopted by users and relative beginners in novel ways to exploit its strengths as data extraction and manipulation tool. If there is a need for high frequency or immediate random data access for transactional applications like online purchases and also bank transactions.

The connectors tend to support a 4-way wide link from the beginning, which allows up to four narrow links to be aggregated into a wide port, also a corresponding connector specification. With internal and external, there are at least two kinds of connectors with feasible combinations and more than 10 types of SAS cables. There is also a specific performance criterion that you will want to achieve:

● Additional criteria can include the cable length and wire gauge which defines the connector’s performance along with the form factor. The standard of the connector will define how a cable will perform during the insertion loss, cross talk, and other factors that can degrade the signals.

● Another criterion is the requirement of the industry, they might have their cable assembly performance requirements. If better performance is required, then they might have to go up a gauge on the wire size and check how they want the system to be configured.

The Advantages of SAS Connectors:

Here are some of the key features and capabilities of SAS technology:

●     Performance and faster throughput

These connectors can read or write and process data in a fraction of time as compared to SATA. The first generation performance is up to 3 Gbps and especially with the latest 12 Gbps using advanced command queuing levels and the latest RAID hardware controllers.

●     Flexibility and reliability

Unlike SATA connectors, SAS is compatible with both drives, that is SAS and SATA storage, as well as backward compatible with SCSI software. Moreover, when it comes to reliability, SAS wins the war. As these are made for servers that require 100% duty cycles all day, every day. With the help of expanders, it can provide multi-initiator capabilities for simultaneous access.

Applications of SAS

Many IT companies are struggling to complete their large and medium-sized projects while balancing the budgets, timeline, scope of the project, and available talent. This leaves many businesses without access to the IT resources and they don’t get time to manage their smaller data. There are also rigid policies and procedures for data gathering be it large projects or for projects with small scale. For businesses with substantial requirements, specifically in terms of storage, backup and archiving demands, Serial-attached SCSI is an excellent tool to replace the entire existing system.

Most of the professional hosting providers also use SAS storage for production data especially used to support hard drive controllers in enterprise-grade applications or tasks that can not risk downtime, data loss, or corruption of data. Making usage of SAS connector or mini SAS cables in these settings can lead to more stability and better performance.

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Created on Oct 16th 2020 08:19. Viewed 257 times.

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