This is an Avago LSI SAS9305-16e Host Bus Adapter (HBA) (P/N: 03-25704-02007), a high-density, high-performance solution for connecting a server to external storage enclosures. With 16 external ports, this card is engineered to provide massive connectivity for large-scale, software-defined storage solutions. It operates in a pure HBA "IT Mode," providing direct pass-through access to each drive, making it the ideal choice for systems running ZFS, TrueNAS, or other similar storage platforms.
Key Features
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High-Density External Connectivity: Provides 16 external 12Gb/s SAS/SATA lanes via four Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) connectors, allowing for connection to a large number of external storage devices.
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IT Mode Firmware: This is a pure Host Bus Adapter that presents all drives directly to the operating system. It is the perfect hardware for software-defined storage solutions like ZFS (used in TrueNAS and unRAID) and Storage Spaces Direct.
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12Gb/s SAS3 Performance: The SAS3 interface provides up to 12Gb/s throughput per lane, ensuring maximum performance from modern SSDs and hard drives.
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High Profile Form Factor: Comes with a full-height bracket, making it suitable for installation in standard server and workstation tower chassis.