LSI MegaRAID SATA SAS controllers provide a new level of reliability availability and performance to businesses that are facing storage challenges driven by unprecedented data growth. With data transfer rates of up to 6Gb/s per port the MegaRAID SAS 9260-8i brings users features and improved performance while continuing to support all the features of the previous 3Gb/s SATA SAS generation. The MegaRAID value line controller ideal for inside-the-box connectivity employs the latest in RAID-on-Chip technology plies with the PCI Express 2.0 specification and provides additional data security using LSI SafeStore encryption services. 6Gb/s SAS is designed for backward patibility with 3Gb/s SAS as well as with 6Gb/s and 3Gb/s SATA hard drives. Regardless of the drive speed 6Gb/s MegaRAID controllers will deliver significant performance improvements in both read and write applications as pared to their 3Gb/s predecessors. Other features of the 6Gb/s MegaRAID SATA SAS controllers include greater signal integrity using Decision Feedback Equalization support for more sophisticated SAS topologies using Expander Self-discovery/Self-configuration and additional safeguards to enhance data protection. LSI is pleased to introduce SafeStore encryption services which offer instant secure erase and local key management for self-encrypting drives (SEDs). This technology represents a significant step forward in securing a drive's data from any unauthorized access or modification resulting from theft loss or repurposing of drives. Instant secure erase permanently removes data when repurposing or demissioning SEDs. SafeStore local key management provides the necessary management and protection of SEDs using a simple pass phrase security key identifier and security key file which can be set and applied to all SEDs assigned to a MegaRAID controller. This removes the plexity of managing each SED's unique encryption key and essentially relieves the administrator from most of the daily t