Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i 2GB Flash PCIe 12Gb Adapter

Overview

The Lenovo 4Y37A72483 is a PCIe RAID adapter designed to enhance storage performance and data protection in ThinkSystem servers. It delivers 12Gbps SAS throughput across eight internal ports, making it well suited for demanding environments like virtualization hosts and database servers where storage speed is critical. Equipped with a 2GB flash-backed cache, it safeguards data during unexpected power interruptions, ensuring reliability without adding complexity to your setup.

Key features

• Eight internal SAS ports provide full bandwidth to multiple drive groups, supporting high-throughput storage configurations.
• 2GB flash-backed cache absorbs sudden write bursts and protects in-flight data during power loss, enhancing data integrity.
• Supports a wide range of RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60) and JBOD, allowing flexible balance between speed and redundancy.
• Online capacity expansion and RAID level migration enable seamless storage growth and configuration changes without downtime.
• Background initialization and support for global or dedicated hot spares help maintain array health and availability.
• PCIe 3.0 x8 interface with two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) connectors ensures compatibility with modern server architectures.
• Broad driver support for Windows Server, Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu, and VMware ESXi allows consistent use across different operating systems.
• Qualified for Lenovo ThinkSystem models including SR630 V2, SR650 V2, ST250 V2, and ST550, ensuring tested reliability in these platforms.

Key specs

• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8
• Data transfer rate: 12Gbps SAS per port
• Cache: 2GB flash-backed
• Ports: 8 internal SAS ports via two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) connectors
• RAID levels supported: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, JBOD
• Compatibility: Lenovo ThinkSystem SR630 V2, SR650 V2, ST250 V2, ST550
• Operating system support: Windows Server, Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu, VMware ESXi

Connectivity and compatibility

This RAID adapter connects through a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot and uses two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) ports for internal cabling, supporting up to eight SAS drives. Its wide OS driver support ensures it can be integrated into diverse server environments without requiring hardware changes. Lenovo’s qualification for several ThinkSystem models guarantees tested compatibility and performance within those platforms, while its design also fits other compatible chassis.

Performance and reliability

The 2GB flash-backed cache plays a crucial role in maintaining data integrity by protecting write operations during power failures. This feature, combined with support for multiple RAID levels and hot spares, helps maintain continuous data availability and system uptime. The adapter’s ability to perform online capacity expansion and RAID migration means storage can evolve alongside growing workloads without interrupting service.

Ideal uses and environments

This RAID adapter is a strong choice for IT teams managing virtualization hosts, database servers, or any storage-intensive applications where throughput and data protection are priorities. It fits well in data centers and enterprise environments that require flexible RAID configurations and reliable performance. Its compatibility with popular server models and operating systems makes it suitable for both new deployments and upgrades in existing infrastructure.