{"product_id":"lsi-logic-megaraid-9361-8i-8-port-sas-raid-controller-enterprise","title":"LSI Logic MegaRAID 9361-8i 8-Port SAS RAID Controller - Enterprise","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of the LSI Logic MegaRAID 9361-8i RAID controller the bottom line is clear: this card is for IT professionals and system builders who need high-throughput, reliable storage connectivity in servers and demanding storage platforms. Its standout feature is native support for 12GB\/s SAS links across eight internal ports, which delivers meaningful performance gains for database, virtualization, and archival workloads that require fast access and robust data protection. The review focuses on real-world suitability, integration notes, and why the controller remains a practical choice for enterprise applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12GB\/s SAS performance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eight internal 12GB\/s SATA+SAS ports provide a significant throughput increase for high I\/O workloads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePCIe 3.0 x8 interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e The card uses a PCI Express 3.0 x8 host interface to minimize host bottlenecks in compatible servers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1GB DDRIII cache:\u003c\/strong\u003e Onboard 1GB DDRIII cache memory helps improve write efficiency and sustained performance for transactional loads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBroad RAID support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and 60 offer flexible data protection and performance tuning for different storage needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eController chipset:\u003c\/strong\u003e The LSISA3108 dual-core 1.2GHz PowerPC ROC provides the processing required for advanced RAID features and offloads work from the host CPU.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlash and cache protection:\u003c\/strong\u003e Support for flash cache and CacheVault-style protection preserves cached data during power events to reduce risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis controller is aimed at enterprise administrators, storage appliance builders, and data center teams that need fast internal connectivity and hardware RAID features. It fits well in servers that host virtualization platforms, database systems, or high-density storage arrays where multiple SAS or SATA drives are present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose running small home labs with only a few drives, or users who want a plug-and-play consumer solution with simple software RAID, should look elsewhere; the 9361-8i is best leveraged where enterprise-class performance, cache protection, and RAID flexibility are required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh aggregate bandwidth with eight 12GB\/s internal ports ideal for high I\/O environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardware RAID offload via the LSISA3108 processor reduces host CPU overhead under load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1GB DDRIII cache and support for flash cache protection help maintain data integrity and performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide range of RAID levels provides flexible protection and performance tradeoffs for varied workloads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnterprise focus means it requires compatible server hardware and some RAID management know-how to deploy effectively.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLSI Logic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMegaRAID 9361-8i\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInternal Ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEight 12GB\/s SATA + SAS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHost Interface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCI Express 3.0 x8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eController\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLSISA3108 Dual Core 1.2GHz PowerPC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCache Memory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1GB DDRIII\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRAID Levels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MegaRAID 9361-8i is a solid enterprise RAID controller for teams that need dependable 12GB\/s SAS connectivity, robust hardware RAID options, and cache protection. It delivers strong value where performance and data integrity matter, but its enterprise orientation means it is best deployed by IT professionals comfortable with server integration and RAID management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this card support 12GB\/s SAS drives?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The controller exposes eight internal 12GB\/s SATA+SAS ports that support modern 12GB\/s SAS drives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat RAID levels are available?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and 60 are supported for flexibility in protection versus performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs cache protection included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe card supports flash cache protection and CacheVault-style preservation to protect cached data during power events.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LSI Logic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48738634596571,"sku":"B00V2RVVAS","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61cEfgSO_vL._AC_SL1280.jpg?v=1778959047","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/lsi-logic-megaraid-9361-8i-8-port-sas-raid-controller-enterprise","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}