LSI has released a new controller firmware for its 3ware 9650SE SATA RAID controller cards which provide support for Intel X25-E Extreme SATA Solid State Drives (SSDs). The firmware upgrade is designed to provide compliance with the Intel SSDs for servers, storage and workstations.
According to LSI, Intel X25-E Extreme SSDs are based on single-level cell (SLC) NAND flash technology to offer enhanced read and write times. The LSI 3ware 9650SE PCI Express to SATA RAID controllers is claimed to complement the Intel drives with hardware RAID protection.
The company claims that the 3ware RAID management interface and software suite provide users with a ‘simplified’ configuration experience regardless of storage interface. It offers a portfolio of 3ware RAID controllers, including a line of SAS/SATA cards and a family of SATA cards with 2 to 24 ports.
Brent Blanchard, director of worldwide channel sales and marketing at LSI, said: LSI controller cards play a pivotal role in maximising solid state drive performance and protecting existing investments in hard disk drives. Multiple drive types can be supported by a single 3ware controller while maintaining performance, which makes it easier and more cost effective to incorporate SSDs into existing enterprise SAS and SATA system environments.
The LSI 3ware 9650SE SATA controllers are available in different port configurations through the LSI network of distributors, integrators and VARs.
