SAS options for Mac Pro backblane

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Level 1

8 points

SAS options for Mac Pro backblane

Building up a new fileserver/Portfolio server. I'd like to keep everything inside the server.

I'm a little confused about what connector types the new Mac Pro internal backplane will accept. I'd like to drop in 4 seagate 450gb 15K SAS cheetahs but they have the mini sas connector. I really can't go smaller than 450gb in a raid 5 config, otherwise I'd go with the 300gb's. What are others doing?

macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on May 12, 2009 8:04 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

May 12, 2009 8:23 AM in response to markmaytum

The only way to use SAS drives inside, or external, is with a hardware controller. No native SAS support. Are you willing to go external?

Also, while the Apple Pro RAID is better now than it was - and it use to have a very low peak performance I/O, I think there are better 3rd party controllers.

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Answer 2

markmaytum Author

Level 1

8 points

May 12, 2009 8:45 AM in response to The hatter

Hat,

Yes I'm aware of that. I know the apple raid tops out at 320, so I'm looking into Highpoint cards also. I expect this system to have lots of non-sequential read/writes, so RW trans/sec is more important to me than raw, sequential pipe speed. Don't know how the apple card stacks up in that respect. What you think?

I'd really like to stay with an internal setup if I can - ease of forklifting is the main benefit. That said, I'm willing to go with an external box if I can't get the speed and capacity I need onboard (I need to net out at LEAST 1.2TB). Thoughts?

-mark

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Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

May 12, 2009 8:59 AM in response to markmaytum

mbean would have more to say on best configuration
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9198098&#9198098

have you browsed the AMUG reviews?
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/reviews.html

One thread on SATA controllers
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8662836#8662836

HighPoint RR4322
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/highpoint/4322/
Areca ARC-1680ix-12 SAS RAID Controller
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/areca/1680ix12/
Enhance RS16 JS 16-bay SAS Expander Enclosure
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/enhance/rs16js/

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Answer 4

markmaytum Author

Level 1

8 points

May 12, 2009 9:12 AM in response to markmaytum

Thanks, I've looked at moany of these other resources already - there's a lot of noodling I need to do over the card.

But I really need to know if the apple backplane is the new, dual-connector type that can accept a SAS drive.

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Answer 5

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

May 12, 2009 9:34 AM in response to markmaytum

... not without a controller.

Maybe you are better off with something that has native support for SAS?

Did you ask us the right questions? seems like if you said what you wanted and had looked at (and rejected) it would help.

— up to 553MB/s of sequential read performance in *RAID 0*. Ideal for video and creative professionals with demanding storage needs, as well as for use as a workgroup server, the new hardware RAID option supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 0+1, and Enhanced JBOD. It has 512MB of cache and an integrated 72-hour battery for protecting the RAID cache. The card occupies the top PCI Express slot (slot 4) and connects to the four internal drive bays.

With the Mac Pro RAID Card installed, high-performance 15,000-rpm SAS drives may be used. SAS drives are sold separately and available with the Promise 450GB SAS Drive for Mac Pro.

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Answer 6

markmaytum Author

Level 1

8 points

May 12, 2009 10:09 AM in response to The hatter

To be very specific:

"Can the built-in backplane on a 2009 Mac Pro physically accept a SAS drive with a SFF 8482 connector?"

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Answer 7

mbean

Level 4

1,250 points

May 12, 2009 11:59 AM in response to markmaytum

"Can the built-in backplane on a 2009 Mac Pro physically accept a SAS drive with a SFF 8482 connector?"

Hi,
The new March 2009 Mac Pro models no longer provides a method to connect 3rd party internal SAS controllers to the Apple internal backplane. While the Apple Mac Pro backplane connector is SAS compatible the motherboard controller only supports SATA.

Apple sells a 4-port PCIe RAID card that adds SAS compatibility. It uses the connectors in PCIe slot 4 bus to automatically make the connection. So far, this change has caused all of the 3rd party internal SAS controllers to no longer be able to connect with the internal Apple Mac Pro backplane.

If you are determined to only consider an internal SAS solution, the Apple RAID card is your only choice. Personally, I prefer an external solution that allows easier access to the hard disks and provides hot swap capability.

You may want to read about the HighPoint RR4322 if you are interested in a faster external option.
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/highpoint/4322/

Have fun!

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