pm8056 chip sas expander from pmc sierra

PM8056 Chip

PMC’s SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)Expander

Devanshu ShrivastavaPhysical Design Staff Engr.

(PMC Sierra)

SAS Overview

Devanshu Shrivastava

SAS Overview• Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), brings more flexible storage solutions to end

users and storage/systems integrators in a variety of ways. SAS meets both enterprise and midrange/nearline storage requirements at relatively low costs, providing users and integrators with flexible storage architectures.

• Unlike its parallel SCSI predecessors, the SAS protocol provides a tunneling mechanism for delivering SATA frames through SAS connection infrastructures, including physical cabling connections. These interchangeable drive and cable connectors ensure “plug and play” between both SAS and SATA targets (hard disk drives, DVD drives, tape, etc.). Similarly, protocol and connection compatibility allows OEMs to easily configure storage systems for multiple markets by simply altering disk drive options and characteristics. A single SAS enclosure or server can be configured to support enterprise and/or midrange/nearline applications. In addition, end users can easily configure or update systems by swapping high-performance SAS drives and low-cost SATA drives as appropriate.



SAS Overview• Serialization of the SCSI interface overcomes the physical and functional

limitations of parallel interface technology. Increased bandwidth requirements, as well as challenges presented by clock skew and power consumption, prevented SCSI from moving beyond the Ultra320 specification. Serialization addresses the parallel interface limitations while significantly reducing power consumption. SAS leverages technologies prevalent in other serial interfaces, including SATA, Gigabit Ethernet, and Fibre Channel.


SAS Expander Overview

SAS Expander performs a data switching function between multiple hosts and target devices


SXP SAS Expander Chip Family


SXP SAS Expander Chip Family

• SXP 12G expanders The SXP 12G expanders leverage PMC's advanced silicon integration techniques and leading-edge mixed signal design to deliver the industry's highest port density and best-in-class signal integrity. – PM8053: SXP 12G 24-port SAS/SATA expander – PM8054: SXP 12G 36-port SAS/SATA expander – PM8055: SXP 12G 48-port SAS/SATA expander – PM8056: SXP 12G 68-port SAS/SATA expander


PM8056 Device • Product Overview• The PM8056 SXP 68x12G device is a 68-port SAS expander that features T10

zoning, self-configuration, table-to-table routing, an Ethernet port, and an integrated MIPS processor for SES and enclosure management support. Applications for the SXP 68x12G include SAS/SATA JBODs and RBODs, high-density SAS HBAs and RAID controllers, SAS switches, server backplanes, and HDD/SSD expansion for enterprise servers.

• Benefits• Implements SAS 3.0 T10 zoning for secure storage and guaranteed

interoperability• Ultra low switching latency for improved system performance• Table-to-table routing removes need for keyed connectors• Integrated Ethernet port for seamless interface to management entity• Integrated MIPS processor for enclosure management• Firmware compatible with PMC's 6Gbps and 3Gbps expander products


PM8056 Application

• Typical Applications include:• Server Storage JBODs and RBODs SAS Switches

High Density HBAs and RAID Controllers


End of Presentation

pm8056 chip sas expander from pmc sierra

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