10Gtek 12G Internal PCI-E SAS/SATA HBA Controller Card (SAS 9300-8I) User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your 10Gtek 12G Internal PCI-E SAS/SATA HBA Controller Card, model SAS 9300-8I. This High-Bandwidth Adapter (HBA) is designed to connect SAS and SATA drives to your system, offering reliable data transfer and storage management capabilities.

Image: Overview of the 10Gtek SAS 9300-8I HBA Controller Card, highlighting the heatsink and dual Mini SAS SFF-8643 ports.

Product Features

• 12G Internal PCI-E SAS/SATA HBA RAID Controller Card: Supports RAID 0, 1, 1E, and 10 in IR (Integrated RAID) mode.
• Controller: Equipped with Broadcom's SAS 3008 controller for reliable performance.
• Interface: PCI-E 3.0 X8 Lane. Features 2x Mini SAS SFF-8643 Ports. Note: Hot-swapping is not supported.
• Driver Support: Driver CD is included. Drivers are also available for download from the official 10Gtek website.

Package Contents

• 10Gtek LSI-3008-8I HBA Card x1
• Driver CD x1
• Low-profile Bracket x1

Image: The package contents for the 10Gtek SAS 9300-8I HBA card, showing the card, driver CD, and a low-profile bracket.

Specifications

Image: Physical dimensions of the HBA card, indicating a length of 149.5 mm and a width of 68.5 mm.

Installation Guide

System Requirements

• An available PCI-E 3.0 X8 or X16 slot on your motherboard.
• A compatible operating system (Windows, Linux, VMware ESX).
• Mini SAS SFF-8643 to SATA breakout cables (not included) for connecting drives.

Hardware Installation

1. Power Off System: Ensure your computer is completely powered off and disconnected from the power source before proceeding.
2. Open Chassis: Open your computer case to access the motherboard's PCI-E slots.
3. Select PCI-E Slot: Locate an available PCI-E 3.0 X8 or X16 slot. Refer to your motherboard manual for slot identification.
4. Install HBA Card: Carefully insert the 10Gtek SAS 9300-8I card into the chosen PCI-E slot, ensuring it is seated firmly. Secure the card with the bracket screw.
5. Connect Drives: Connect your SAS/SATA drives to the HBA card's SFF-8643 ports using appropriate Mini SAS SFF-8643 to SATA breakout cables (not included). Each SFF-8643 port supports up to four SAS/SATA drives.
6. Close Chassis: Close your computer case and reconnect the power.

Image: PCI Express slot compatibility, indicating support for X8 and X16 slots.

Image: An application diagram illustrating how the HBA card connects to multiple SATA SSDs using a breakout cable.

Driver Installation

After hardware installation, power on your system. The operating system may automatically detect and install generic drivers. For optimal performance and full functionality, install the specific drivers provided on the included CD or download the latest drivers from the official 10Gtek website.

Note: Some cards may ship in IR (Integrated RAID) mode. If you require IT (Initiator Target) mode for JBOD or software RAID solutions, you may need to flash the firmware. Refer to online resources or 10Gtek support for detailed instructions on firmware flashing, ensuring to use the correct firmware version (e.g., 16.00.12.00 for SAS9300_8i_IT.bin). Exercise caution during firmware flashing as incorrect procedures can damage the device.

Operation

Once the HBA card and drivers are installed, your operating system should recognize the connected SAS/SATA drives. You can then manage these drives using your operating system's disk management tools or RAID management software, depending on whether the card is configured in IR or IT mode.

RAID Configuration (IR Mode)

If the card is operating in IR mode, you can configure RAID arrays (RAID 0, 1, 1E, 10) through the card's BIOS utility during system boot-up or via a dedicated management utility provided by Broadcom or 10Gtek. Consult the respective software documentation for detailed RAID setup procedures.

JBOD Configuration (IT Mode)

In IT mode, the HBA card acts as a simple pass-through controller, presenting each connected drive individually to the operating system (Just a Bunch Of Disks - JBOD). This mode is commonly used with software RAID solutions like ZFS, mdadm, or other storage management platforms.

Maintenance

• Keep Clean: Periodically inspect the card for dust accumulation, especially on the heatsink. Use compressed air to gently clean the card and ensure proper heat dissipation.
• Check Connections: Ensure all cable connections to the HBA card and drives are secure and free from damage. Loose connections can lead to data integrity issues or drive dropouts.
• Firmware Updates: Regularly check the 10Gtek website for any available firmware updates. Apply updates as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
• Temperature Monitoring: Ensure adequate airflow within your system chassis to prevent overheating. If the card runs hot, consider improving case ventilation or adding a small fan to the heatsink for enhanced cooling.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

• Card Not Detected:
  • Solution: Ensure the card is properly seated in the PCI-E slot. Verify that the PCI-E slot is functional by testing with another known-good card if possible. Check system BIOS settings for PCI-E slot recognition and enable if necessary.
• Drives Not Recognized:
  • Solution: Verify that the SAS/SATA cables are correctly connected to both the HBA card and the drives. Ensure drivers are installed correctly and are up-to-date. Check the card's operating mode (IR/IT) and configure drives accordingly within the OS or card's utility.
• Performance Issues:
  • Solution: Ensure the card is installed in a PCI-E 3.0 X8 or X16 slot to achieve full bandwidth. Check for the latest drivers and firmware. Monitor system temperatures to prevent thermal throttling, which can reduce performance.
• Intermittent Drive Disconnections:
  • Solution: This could indicate a faulty port on the card, a damaged cable, or an issue with the drive itself. Try swapping cables and ports to isolate the issue. Ensure the card is not overheating, as high temperatures can cause instability.
• Need IT Mode Firmware:
  • Solution: If your card is in IR mode and you require IT mode, you will need to flash the firmware. This process typically involves creating a bootable USB drive with the appropriate firmware and flashing utility. Consult 10Gtek's support resources or community forums for detailed, model-specific instructions. Exercise extreme caution during firmware flashing as incorrect procedures can permanently damage the device.

Compatibility

PCI Express Slot Compatibility

The 10Gtek SAS 9300-8I HBA Controller Card is designed for PCI-E X8 and X16 slots. It is not compatible with PCI-E X1 or X4 slots due to bandwidth and physical connector limitations.

Image: Visual guide for PCI Express slot compatibility.

Operating System Compatibility

This card supports a wide range of operating systems, ensuring broad compatibility for various server and workstation environments:

• Windows Server
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 10
• VMware ESX
• Linux (drivers are often integrated into the kernel for seamless operation)

Image: Multi-system compatibility overview.

Warranty and Support

10Gtek products typically come with a manufacturer's warranty. Please refer to the warranty information included with your product packaging or visit the official 10Gtek website for the most current details regarding warranty terms and conditions, including duration and coverage.

For technical support, driver downloads, firmware updates, or any further assistance, please visit the 10Gtek Store on Amazon or their official website. Customer service representatives are available to help with product-related inquiries and troubleshooting.