CRU RedPort SAS - Manual (Page 5)

CRU-WiebeTech
RedPort SAS 6G User Manual (A9-000-0017) REV 1.0 - 5 -
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does SAS stand for?
A: SAS is an acronym for Serial Attached SCSI.
Q: What is SCSI?
A: SCSI is a type of data bus allowing for the transfer of data between a computer and peripheral
devices. It was the first intelligent data bus relieving the CPU from the burden of processing I/Os between
the computer and its peripherals.
Q: What is SAS?
A: SAS is a point-to-point serial architecture that is far simpler than its parallel predecessor SCSI, yet
offers significantly higher throughput (up to 6 Gb/sec) as well as better scalability.
Q: What is the difference between Serial Attached SCSI and Parallel SCSI?
A: Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) is an evolutionary development of Parallel SCSI, a proven technology
that's been the foundation of enterprise storage for over two decades. SAS leverages the rock-solid
reliability of Parallel SCSI while offering dramatic improvements in performance, scalability and
compatibility.
Q: What's the difference between Serial Attached SCSI and Serial ATA?
A: Serial Attached SCSI is an enterprise-class solution that goes beyond its interface to deliver the
superior performance, reliability and scalability demanded in mission-critical applications. Serial ATA is
primarily a desktop-class solution suitable for use in light-duty environments where low cost is the highest
priority.
Q: Are SAS and Serial ATA compatible?
A: Yes, compatibility with Serial ATA is a core feature of Serial Attached SCSI. SAS backplanes and Host
Bus Adapters (HBA) are fully compatible with Serial ATA, enabling connectivity for both types of drives on
a common backplane.