RAID controller maximum number of drives in a single array

[jonathank1]

I'm looking into Intel RAID controllers for a few storage servers. The RSP3TD160F looks promising as it supports 16 internal ports. However, the hardware guide says "maximum number of drives per drive group: 32". That seems to be a bit odd for a 16-port adapter. I need to build an array of 90 drives, preferably RAID-5 to maximize capacity.

Is it really not possible to create  a single array greater than 32 drives?

[JoseH_Intel]

Hello STimms,

Thank you for joining the Intel community

Based on the Intel RAID adapters hardware user guide Drive Support Limits the maximum drives per drive group is 32 for the RSP3TD160F controller as you correctly state. In your case to be able to handle a 90+ drives array you will need to connect multiple JBOD enclosures to the controller. But even by doing that it doesn't seem possible to create an array with more than 32 drives. You will need to split it into multiple arrays.

For more details you can check https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/server-products/raid-products/TriMode_Adapter_Hardware_User_Guide.pdf#page=20

Let me know if this helps

Regards

Jose A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

For firmware updates and troubleshooting tips, visit:

https://intel.com/support/serverbios

[jonathank1]

Thank you for answering my question, Jose.

[JoseH_Intel]

Hello STimms,

Do you have further questions? Should I proceed to mark this thread as completed?

Regards

Jose A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

For firmware updates and troubleshooting tips, visit:

https://intel.com/support/serverbios

[jonathank1]

Hello Jose,

I think we can call this one solved, thank you.

Regards,

Jonathan

[JoseH_Intel]

Hello STimms,

We will proceed to mark this thread as resolved. If you have further issues or questions just go ahead and submit a new topic.

Regards

Jose A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

For firmware updates and troubleshooting tips, visit:

https://intel.com/support/serverbios