Supermicro AOC-S3108L-H8IR-16DD 12Gb/s 8-Port SAS RAID Controller (No Cache/Battery/Bracket)
The Supermicro AOC-S3108L-H8IR-16DD is an enterprise-grade 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller built for high-performance server environments. Powered by the Broadcom (LSI) SAS 3108 RAID-on-Chip processor, it delivers reliable hardware RAID capabilities and supports up to 16 internal drives, making it ideal for data centers, virtualization, and storage-intensive applications.
Core Specifications
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Model: AOC-S3108L-H8IR-16DD
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Controller Chip: Broadcom (LSI) SAS 3108 ROC (dual-core)
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Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8
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Port Configuration: 8 internal ports via 2x Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643)
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Drive Support: Up to 16 SAS/SATA HDDs or SSDs
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Data Transfer Rates: 1.5Gb/s, 3Gb/s, 6Gb/s, and 12Gb/s
RAID & Performance
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RAID Levels Supported: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
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Cache Memory: 2GB DDR3 1866MHz
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Cache Features: Supports SSD CacheCade 2.0 (read/write caching)
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Max Devices: Firmware-limited to 16 drives
Physical & Form Factor
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Form Factor: Low-profile plug-in card
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Dimensions: 2.71" (H) x 6.6" (L)
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Bracket: Not included (low-profile bracket required for installation)
Compatibility & OS Support
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Motherboard Compatibility: Designed for Supermicro server platforms and compatible PCIe x8 slots
Operating Systems:
- Windows Server (2012 / 2016 / 2019)
- Linux (RHEL, Ubuntu, SUSE)
Advanced Features
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Optional Data Protection: Supports Supermicro/Broadcom supercapacitor module (BTR-TFM8G-LSICVM02)
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Power Management: Advanced power optimization features
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Enterprise Reliability: Hardware RAID with enhanced data integrity and fault tolerance
Related Part Numbers
- LSI2108-SUPERMICRO
- SAS3108-SUPERMICRO
- Broadcom 3108
Platform Compatibility & Deployment Notes
The AOC-S3108L-H8IR-16DD is highly compatible with a broad range of Supermicro server platforms and standard enterprise motherboards, though there are specific firmware and hardware nuances to consider.
Motherboard & Platform Compatibility
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Supermicro X9, X10, and X11 Generations:
This card is primarily validated for Supermicro’s X9 (LGA 2011), X10 (LGA 2011-3), and X11 (LGA 3647) motherboard series.
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Note for X9 Boards:
Some systems may require older firmware (v4.6800-8290 or earlier) to boot properly.
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Standard PCIe 3.0 Slots:
Uses a standard PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, making it physically compatible with most servers from Dell (PowerEdge), HP (ProLiant), and Lenovo with available x8 or x16 slots.
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Form Factor:
Low-profile design supports installation in 1U, 2U, and larger rackmount chassis.
Chassis and Backplane Requirements
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Connector Type:
Uses Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) internal connectors. Matching backplane ports are required, or adapter cables (e.g., SFF-8643 to SFF-8087) for older SAS2 backplanes.
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Direct Connect vs. Expander:
This “-16DD” model is firmware-limited to 16 drives. Best suited for 8-bay or 12-bay direct-connect backplanes.
When used with expander backplanes (24-bay / 36-bay), only the first 16 drives will be recognized.
Operating System Support
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Windows Server: 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022
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Linux: RHEL, SUSE, Ubuntu, CentOS
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Virtualization: VMware ESXi 6.0 and newer (requires LSI/Broadcom
megaraid_sas driver)
Known Limitations
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JBOD Mode:
As a hardware RAID controller, it does not natively support true IT Mode (pass-through), making it less suitable for software-defined storage platforms like TrueNAS or ZFS without firmware workarounds.
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Thermal Requirements:
Requires strong server-grade airflow. In workstation environments, additional cooling (dedicated fan) may be necessary to prevent overheating.
