How to Best Use Port Connections for Intel® RAID Expander RES2SV240

The Intel® RAID Expander RES2SV240 has 24 ports through six SFF-8087 connectors.

Do the ports have limitations?

The ports of the Intel RAID Expander RES2SV240 are like network switches, with some limitations:

• You can connect one of the SFF-8087 connector from an Intel® RAID Controller to the Intel RAID Expander RES2SV240. The remaining 20 (five SFF-8087 connectors) are available to connect to disk drives, backplanes, or expanders.
• Another option is to connect two SFF-8087 connectors from an Intel RAID Controller to the Intel RAID Expander RES2SV240. The remaining 16 (four SFF-8087 connectors) are available to connect to disk drives, backplanes, or expanders.

How do I use the port connections?

Intel® RAID Controller individual ports act as waterfall-type connections. If you're transferring less than 6 Gb (theoretical) from the controller to the Intel RAID Expander RES2SV240, you only use one port. If you're transferring more than 6 Gb, other ports must enable the required throughput.

For most situations, using the two SFF-8087 connectors from an Intel RAID Controller to the Intel RAID Expander RES2SV240 is more than what an average situation requires. In theory, up to 48 Gb/s data transfer (eight ports x 6 Gb/s).

Where can I get more information?

See the Intel® RAID Expander RES2SV240 Hardware User Guide.