CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)Server Hardware Installation and ManagementHard
A technician is installing several new 2.5-inch solid-state drives (SSDs) into a server. The server's motherboard supports both SATA and SAS connections. The SSDs are intended for a high-performance database cluster. Which cable type should the technician use to connect these SSDs to the server's HBA for optimal performance and enterprise-grade reliability?
- AUSB 3.0 Type-A to SATA adapter cable.
- BStandard SATA data cable with a separate SATA power connector.
- CMini-SAS SFF-8643 to 4x SAS breakout cable.
- DMini-SAS SFF-8643 to 4x SATA breakout cable.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Mini-SAS SFF-8643 to 4x SAS breakout cable.
Even though SSDs can connect via SATA, SAS offers enterprise-grade features like dual-porting, command queuing (Tagged Command Queuing - TCQ), and higher reliability/scalability which are crucial for a high-performance database cluster. A Mini-SAS SFF-8643 to 4x SAS breakout cable would connect the server's SAS HBA to four SAS SSDs, providing optimal performance and leveraging the full capabilities of the SAS interface.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. USB is an external peripheral interface and not suitable for internal server storage connections for a database cluster.
- B. Standard SATA is consumer-grade and lacks the enterprise features of SAS, even for SSDs.
- D. This cable would connect to SATA ports, not fully utilizing the SAS HBA or the enterprise benefits of SAS.
SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)
An enterprise-grade point-to-point serial protocol that connects storage devices (HDDs/SSDs) to servers, offering higher performance, scalability, and reliability than SATA.
- Supports dual-porting for redundancy
- Uses SCSI command set
- Backward compatible with SATA drives (SAS HBA can connect to SATA drives)
Memory trick: SAS is king for enterprise speed, SATA for home, NVMe for ultimate need.