Microsemi SmartRAID 3162-8i RAID controller PCI Express x8 3.0 12 Gbit/s

Data center, Enterprise IT, and general consumer server environments have a broad range of requirements—from basic connectivity to extreme data storage capacities. Effective data access and protection is crucial to their ultimate success. The 12 Gbps SmartRAID 3162-8i adapter is ideal for high performance enterprise servers that require maximum connectivity. The controller-based encryption option, SmartRAID 3162-8i /e, supports security enabled server platforms and provides the industry’s only data-at-rest encryption solution.

maxCache 4.0 SSD Caching
maxCache accelerates HDD-based RAID arrays and logical drives, advancing the performance capabilities for a broader set of application workloads. SmartRAID 3162 adapters support read- and write-back caching. By caching writes to a redundant SSD cache pool, maxCache 4.0 leverages the performance and latency capabilities of SSD technology for both read and write workloads. Read performance is also improved by caching frequently accessed data on the SSD tier with additional optimizations through the learned-path algorithm, which leverages the aggregate performance of all available storage devices.

Onboard Integrated Cache Protection
The SmartRAID family continues Microsemi's battery-free portfolio. The 3162- 8i includes onboard cache backup circuitry and flash memory. It integrates the ZMCP power source (capacitor module) in the adapter to enable instant cache protection without the need to find space to mount the supercap elsewhere in the system. The onboard capacitor module form factor fits into a PCIe slot and optimizes the airflow for operation with only 150 LFM. It supports a five-year lifetime and is continuously monitored by the smart firmware to ensure the data can be safely backed up to the flash memory on the SmartRAID adapter.

maxCryptoTM Controller-Based Encryption
The SmartRAID 3162-8i /e provides the industry’s only data-at-rest controller-based encryption solution. maxCrypto™ encrypts data on RAID arrays and single drive RAID 0 with AES 256 encryption. It works at line speed, accelerated by silicon engines, with all SAS and SATA devices that are supported in RAID (SSDs and HDDs). It supports local encryption key management and provides a superior solution over self-encrypting drives.