Question SAS expander question

[srmvel]

Hi All,

I have a question on SAS expander single and dual-link.

Dual-Link is the ability of the SAS expander to spread traffic over a second x4 link (i.e., 8087 cable.

Please clarify what is meant by single and dual-link?

Thanks,
Raj

 

[popatim]

Dual linking allows you to connect the expander to the Sas controller using two of the Sas's ports and doubling the max throughput. Each port is multilaned which is why you can use breakout cables and attach 4 drives. The controller must also support multilanes.

 

[srmvel]

Thanks for the reply.
My controller is LSI SAS HBA 9300-8i with 8 ports.

If I want to connect 8 SATA SSD drives with HBA 9300-8i ,then I can connect 8 drives(with 2 cables) with 2 ports of HBA.This is called single link.

If I want to connect 4 SATA SSD drives with HBA 9300-8i ,then i can connect 4 drives only with 8087 cable.This is called dual link.

If I use SAS expander,then its not possible ?

Am i right?