Areca ARC-1886-4X8I 8-Port Tri-Mode RAID Controller PCIe 4.0 x8, 4x SFF-8644 External

The Areca ARC-1886-4X8I is a high-performance 8-port Tri-Mode RAID controller designed for enterprise storage environments. Supporting SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives, it offers unparalleled flexibility and speed with a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface. Equipped with 4GB DDR4-2666 cache and a dual-core ROC processor, this controller delivers exceptional data transfer rates and reliability.

Advantages

Tri-Mode support allows mixing SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives in a single system, simplifying storage infrastructure. The PCIe 4.0 x8 interface provides up to 16 GT/s per lane, ensuring high bandwidth for demanding applications. With 4 external SFF-8644 ports and 8 internal SFF-8643 ports, it offers extensive connectivity for both internal and external storage arrays.

Suitable for

• Enterprise servers requiring high-speed RAID solutions
• Data centers with mixed SAS/SATA/NVMe environments
• Video surveillance and media production workflows
• Virtualization platforms needing robust storage performance

Key specifications

• Interface: PCIe 4.0 x8
• Controller Type: Tri-Mode RAID (SAS, SATA, NVMe)
• External Connectors: 4x SFF-8644
• Internal Connectors: 8x SFF-8643
• Cache Memory: 4GB DDR4-2666
• RAID Levels: 0, 1, 1E, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk, JBOD
• Data Transfer Rate: 12Gb/s per port (SAS/SATA), 40Gb/s per lane (NVMe)
• Form Factor: Low-profile MD2
• Max Drive Support: Up to 256 devices

Recommendations

For optimal performance, pair this controller with enterprise-grade SSDs and ensure proper cooling in the chassis. Consider adding the optional Battery Backup Unit (BBU) for cache protection during power loss.