Adaptec 1430SA User Manual

Page of 103
Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives
l 31
You have these connection options:
 (see below).
.
Connecting Directly to the HostRAID Controller
In a direct-attach connection, SAS or SATA disk drives are connected directly to a SAS 
HostRAID controller with SAS cables. The number of direct-attached disk drives is limited to 
four per internal SAS connector. For more information, see 
1
Install your internal SAS or SATA disk drives, following the instructions in your system’s 
documentation. 
2
Use internal SAS cables to connect the disk drives to the SAS HostRAID controller. 
3
When you have installed all disk drives and connected the to SAS HostRAID controller, 
close your computer cabinet, and reconnect the power cord.
Connecting to a Backplane
In a backplane connection, disk drives and SAS HostRAID controllers are connected to, and 
communicate with each other through a backplane. 
The number of disk drives is limited to the number of slots available on the backplane. Some 
backplanes have embedded SAS expanders and can support up to 128 end devices. For more 
information about expander connections, see 
1
Connect one or more internal SAS or SATA disk drives to the backplane. Refer to your 
system’s documentation for more information.
2
Use an internal SAS cable to connect the SAS HostRAID controller to the backplane.
SATA disk drives attached to 
controller with fan-out cable
External
SAS cable
External SAS connector