LANPAN LSI SAS9300-8i HBA PCIe 3.0 x8 12Gbps Controller for 8 Drives

Description

Product Overview

The LANPAN LSI SAS9300-8i HBA is a high‑performance host bus adapter designed for demanding storage environments. Built around the proven LSI/Broadcom SAS3008 controller, this card delivers up to 12 Gbps per SAS port and 6 Gbps per SATA port, providing fast and reliable data transfer for a wide range of workloads. The card fits into a standard PCIe 3.0 x8 slot, offering a compact footprint while maintaining enterprise‑grade bandwidth. With two Mini‑SAS HD (SFF‑8643) connectors, the adapter can directly attach up to eight 2.5‑inch or 3.5‑inch SATA drives, and it can be expanded through external SAS expanders for larger storage arrays. The firmware operates in HBA IT mode, meaning the device presents each drive directly to the operating system without RAID abstraction, which is ideal for software‑defined storage solutions such as ZFS, TrueNAS, Proxmox, and VMware ESXi. The card’s lightweight aluminum enclosure weighs only 9.6 ounces and measures 8.74 × 5.71 × 1.81 inches, making it easy to install in both full‑size and compact server chassis. Compatibility with Linux and other Unix‑like operating systems ensures broad support across many platforms.

The controller utilizes a 256‑bit DDR3 memory buffer to cache command information, reducing latency during intensive I/O bursts. It supports both 3 Gbps and 6 Gbps SATA speeds, automatically negotiating the optimal rate for each attached drive. The card’s firmware is based on the proven LSI IT mode, which presents each physical disk as an individual block device, allowing the host operating system to manage RAID, caching, and error handling. Power consumption stays below 15 W under full load, making it suitable for energy‑conscious deployments. The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface provides a theoretical bandwidth of 8 GB/s, far exceeding the combined throughput of eight 12 Gbps SAS links, ensuring that the bus never becomes a bottleneck. Thermal design includes a copper heat spreader and a low‑profile fan‑less chassis, which together keep the component temperature under 55 °C even during sustained writes. The card complies with the PCI‑SIG specifications for hot‑plug capability, allowing you to add or remove the adapter without powering down the system, a valuable feature for servers that require high availability. Additionally, the HBA is fully compatible with popular Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and Red Hat, as well as with FreeBSD and OpenSolaris, providing flexibility across a wide range of operating environments.

Usage

Designed for home labs, small‑to‑medium businesses, and media servers, the LANPAN LSI SAS9300-8i HBA excels in environments where raw performance and flexibility are paramount. Users building a ZFS‑based storage pool will appreciate the direct‑attach capability that allows each drive to be managed individually, maximizing data integrity and performance. The adapter is also a perfect match for TrueNAS and FreeNAS deployments, where the non‑RAID HBA mode simplifies configuration and reduces overhead. In virtualization scenarios, ESXi hosts can leverage the card to provide fast storage to virtual machines, while Proxmox users can assign individual disks to containers or VMs for granular control. The card’s 12 Gbps SAS support makes it suitable for high‑throughput workloads such as video editing, backup servers, and database clusters, while the 6 Gbps SATA lanes ensure compatibility with a broad range of consumer and enterprise drives.

In a media‑streaming server, the HBA can feed multiple 4 TB SATA drives that store a large library of high‑definition video files. The 12 Gbps SAS lanes ensure that simultaneous reads from several drives do not saturate the bus, allowing multiple streams to play without buffering. For backup and archival solutions, the adapter’s non‑RAID mode lets you configure each drive as an independent target, simplifying the creation of snapshot‑based backups with tools like rsync or Borg. In a virtualization host running ESXi, you can assign each virtual machine its own dedicated SSD or HDD, taking advantage of the low latency path provided by the HBA to improve VM I/O performance. Proxmox users benefit from the ability to pass‑through raw block devices to containers, enabling lightweight storage for containerized applications while still maintaining the high throughput of the underlying hardware. The card also works well in a home‑lab Kubernetes cluster, where persistent volumes can be backed by locally attached disks managed by the HBA, delivering fast read/write cycles for stateful workloads. Because the adapter does not impose any RAID logic, it is straightforward to replace or upgrade individual drives without re‑balancing a hardware RAID array, reducing maintenance downtime. The compact form factor fits easily into mini‑ITX cases, making it a versatile choice for both rack‑mount and small‑form‑factor builds.

Why Choose Us

LANPAN brings decades of experience in storage networking, and the SAS9300‑8i HBA reflects a commitment to quality, reliability, and customer support. Each unit undergoes rigorous testing to meet the high standards expected by data‑center professionals and hobbyist builders alike. The card’s firmware is regularly updated to maintain compatibility with the latest operating system kernels and storage software releases, ensuring a smooth experience over the product’s lifecycle. Our dedicated technical support team is available to assist with installation, driver issues, and performance tuning, providing peace of mind for both novice and experienced users.

Beyond the hardware, LANPAN invests in a robust ecosystem of software tools and community resources that help users get the most out of their storage infrastructure. The company maintains an online knowledge base with step‑by‑step tutorials for configuring ZFS pools, setting up iSCSI targets, and optimizing performance on various Linux distributions. For enterprise customers, LANPAN offers extended warranty options and on‑site service agreements, ensuring that mission‑critical systems remain operational with minimal interruption. The engineering team behind the SAS9300‑8i collaborates closely with open‑source projects, contributing patches that improve driver stability and add new features such as NVMe over Fabrics support in future firmware releases. This commitment to open standards means that the HBA will continue to be compatible with emerging storage technologies, protecting your investment as your data needs evolve. Additionally, LANPAN’s rapid response support team provides 24/7 assistance via email and ticketing systems, with most issues resolved within a few business hours. The combination of high‑quality components, rigorous testing, and proactive customer service makes the LANPAN LSI SAS9300‑8i HBA a reliable foundation for any storage‑intensive application.

Key Features

• High‑speed 12 Gbps SAS and 6 Gbps SATA connectivity for fast data transfer.
• Direct‑attach support for up to eight drives, simplifying storage management.
• PCIe 3.0 x8 interface fits standard server and workstation slots.
• Compatible with ZFS, TrueNAS, Proxmox, ESXi, and other Linux‑based platforms.
• Responsive LANPAN technical support and regular firmware updates.

Installation

Begin by powering down the server and disconnecting all cables. Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe 3.0 x8 slot; the LANPAN LSI SAS9300‑8i HBA fits snugly without obstructing adjacent slots. Secure the card with the provided screw, then route the two Mini‑SAS HD cables through the drive bays. Attach each SFF‑8643 connector to the corresponding SATA ports on the drives, ensuring a firm connection. If you plan to use SAS drives, replace the included SATA cables with SFF‑8643 to 8482 SAS cables, which are sold separately. Close the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the system. The operating system should detect the new HBA automatically; on Linux, you can verify detection with the lspci command and view the devices under /dev. For Windows, install the Broadcom driver package and use the Device Manager to confirm the adapter is listed as “LSI SAS 3008”. After confirming the hardware is recognized, you can create storage pools using your preferred software, such as ZFS on Linux or the Storage Spaces Direct feature on Windows Server. It is recommended to update the firmware to the latest version available on the LANPAN support portal before configuring the drives, to benefit from performance improvements and bug fixes.

Performance

Independent testing of the LANPAN LSI SAS9300‑8i HBA shows consistent throughput close to the theoretical limits of the SAS3008 controller. In a sequential read test using eight 4 TB SATA SSDs, the adapter achieved an average of 9.8 GB/s across all drives, which translates to roughly 12 Gbps per lane. Random 4 KB I/O latency remained under 0.2 ms for read operations and under 0.3 ms for writes, demonstrating the low‑overhead nature of the IT mode firmware. When paired with a dual‑processor server running Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, the HBA sustained 1.2 M IOPS in a mixed‑read/write workload with a 70/30 distribution. Compared to a comparable RAID controller operating in hardware RAID mode, the SAS9300‑8i delivered up to 30 % higher IOPS in the same configuration, thanks to the elimination of RAID processing overhead. Power draw measured at full load was 13.5 W, well within the specifications for a 120 W power supply, and the card’s passive cooling kept the temperature under 50 °C after an hour of continuous operation. These results confirm that the LANPAN HBA provides enterprise‑grade performance while maintaining efficiency and simplicity for software‑defined storage stacks.

Compatibility

The LANPAN LSI SAS9300‑8i HBA is compatible with a wide range of SATA and SAS drives, including 2.5‑inch and 3.5‑inch form factors, SSDs, and HDDs from major manufacturers such as Seagate, Western Digital, Samsung, and Intel. It supports both 3 Gbps and 6 Gbps SATA speeds, automatically negotiating the optimal transfer rate for each device. The controller works seamlessly with Linux kernels 4.4 and newer, and it is certified for use with popular distributions including Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Debian. For Windows users, the HBA is supported on Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022 when the Broadcom driver package is installed. FreeBSD 12 and later also include native drivers for the SAS3008 chipset, allowing the HBA to be used in BSD‑based storage solutions. In addition, the adapter can be paired with external SAS expanders that use the same Mini‑SAS HD connector, enabling scalability up to 128 drives in large‑scale storage arrays.

Technical Specifications

Model: LSI SAS9300‑8i (LANPAN re‑brand) – PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface – Two Mini‑SAS HD (SFF‑8643) ports – Supports up to eight SATA or SAS drives – 12 Gbps SAS / 6 Gbps SATA per port – 256 MB DDR3 cache – Firmware: HBA IT mode – Power consumption: 13.5 W (typical) – Dimensions: 8.74 × 5.71 × 1.81 in – Weight: 9.6 oz – Operating temperature: 0 °C to 55 °C – Compatibility: Linux, Windows Server, FreeBSD – Warranty: 1‑year limited.

FAQ

Can I use this HBA with SAS drives?

Yes. The card supports SAS drives when paired with the appropriate SFF‑8643 to 8482 SAS cables, which are sold separately. The Mini‑SAS HD connectors provide the physical interface for both SATA and SAS devices.

Does the card require any special drivers?

The LANPAN LSI SAS9300‑8i HBA uses the standard LSI/Broadcom driver that is included in most modern Linux kernels. For Windows environments, the Broadcom/LSI driver package can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

Is hardware RAID supported?

The card operates in HBA IT mode, which presents each drive directly to the operating system without hardware RAID. This design is intentional to enable software‑defined storage solutions that offer greater flexibility and control.

What is the warranty period?

LANPAN provides a one‑year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, along with access to technical support for the duration of the warranty.

How many drives can I connect using the included cables?

The package includes two SFF‑8643 to 4× SATA cables, giving you eight SATA ends. This allows you to connect up to eight SATA drives directly to the HBA. For additional drives, you can add an external SAS expander.

Can I use this HBA in a Windows Server environment?

Yes. The card is supported on Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022 when you install the Broadcom driver package. After driver installation, the HBA appears as a standard storage controller, and you can create volumes using Disk Management or PowerShell.

What operating systems are officially supported?

The HBA works out of the box with Linux kernels 4.4 and newer, including Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Debian. It also supports Windows Server 2016‑2022 with the Broadcom driver, and FreeBSD 12+ provides native driver support for the SAS3008 chipset.