Microchip SmartRAID 3204-8i PCIe 4.0 x8 24G SAS RAID Controller (32048IXS)

The Microchip SmartRAID 3204-8i is a high-performance hardware RAID controller designed for enterprise storage environments. Featuring PCI Express 4.0 x8 host interface and 24 Gbit/s SAS-4 connectivity, it delivers exceptional data throughput and reliability for demanding applications.

Advantages

With 8 internal ports via 2 x SFF-8643 connectors, this controller supports up to 256 SAS or SATA devices. The 4GB DDR4 cache and SmartROC 3200 processor ensure fast and efficient RAID processing. Advanced data protection features include optional cache protection (AFM-700), maxCache SSD caching, and maxCrypto encryption.

Suitable for

• Enterprise servers and data centers requiring high-speed storage
• RAID configurations for critical data redundancy and performance
• Virtualization environments with VMware, Hyper-V, or Linux

Key specifications

• Host Interface: PCI Express 4.0 x8
• Internal Ports: 8 (2 x SFF-8643)
• Data Transfer Rate: 24 Gbit/s per port (SAS-4)
• RAID Levels: 0, 1, 1E, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, JBOD
• Cache Memory: 4GB DDR4
• Processor: Microchip SmartROC 3200
• Form Factor: Low-profile MD2
• Max Drives: Up to 256 SAS/SATA devices
• Management: Adaptec maxView Storage Manager
• OS Support: Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi, FreeBSD, Solaris

Recommendations

Ideal for building high-performance storage arrays, this controller offers enterprise-grade reliability and scalability. Combine with SAS SSDs for maximum IOPS or use with SATA drives for cost-effective capacity.