For a low-cost value-added alterative to high port count RAID cards, select the Intel RAID Expander RES3FV288. As the perfect complement for Intel's SAS-3 generation RAID cards, the RES3FV288 offers ultimate flexibility for architecting a high drive count (>8 drive) storage solution in any sized system. Designed with a low profile, MD2 form factor, the RES3FV288 can be used in any server add-in card slot including a low profile slot in a 2U rack system. In cases where an add-in slot is not available, the RES3FV288 can even be mounted to a chassis wall or air-duct.

The RES3FV288, powered by a high performance SAS 3.0 capable expander, enables the connection of up to 28 inside-the-box SAS or Serial ATA (SATA) devices; plus it delivers 8 external ports for connection to a JBOD. Each expander port is capable of performing SAS and SATA transfers based on the speed of the host or target at either 12Gb/s or 6Gb/s. Furthermore, 6Gb/s signals are aggregated by the expander to allow for 12Gb/s communication with RAID add-in cards capable of this higher data rate. The RES3FV288 supports management functions such as discovery and enclosure management, and can be cascaded to accommodate as many drives as the associated SAS/RAID card allows.