What is a SAS Connector?

A SAS connector is a compact, high-speed rectangular interface designed for reliable data transfer in advanced storage applications. Built for environments where both velocity and data integrity are critical, SAS technology supports serial and parallel communication while remaining backward-compatible with SAS 1.0 and SAS 2.0 devices.

SAS, short for Serial Attached SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), is a point-to-point serial data protocol used to transfer information between storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and tape drives. The SAS standard is maintained by the INCITS T10 Technical Committee and was first introduced in 2003 with the SAS-1 specification, enabling data rates up to 3 Gb/s. Designed to replace the aging parallel SCSI bus technology of the 1980s, SAS maintains compatibility with the SCSI command set, ensuring a smooth transition for enterprise systems.

One of SAS’s notable advantages is its ability to interface with Serial ATA (SATA) drives—allowing a SATA drive to be connected to most SAS backplanes or controllers—although the reverse connection (SAS drive to SATA backplane) is not supported.

TE Connectivity’s SAS and Mini-SAS Solutions

TE Connectivity offers a wide portfolio of SAS and Mini-SAS connectors tailored for the demands of modern data centers and enterprise storage systems. These connectors deliver exceptional reliability under continuous operation, even in high-density configurations.

SAS Connector Variants

SAS connectors exist in a variety of form factors, each optimized for a specific application. They are considerably smaller than legacy SCSI connectors, enabling increased PCB density while supporting varying data rates, pin counts, device configurations, and channel numbers.

SAS connectors can be designed for:

• Internal connections (within a server or storage rack)

• External connections (linking storage enclosures across systems)

Mini-SAS Connectors

Mini-SAS connectors are approximately 30% smaller than traditional SAS connectors, enabling greater port density on a single PCB. They are widely used in:

• Data center storage arrays

• Server clusters

• Storage Area Networks (SANs)

Amphenol Mini-SAS High-Density Connectors

Amphenol’s Mini-SAS HD (High-Density) connectors represent the next generation of SAS interconnects. These deliver double the port density of current Mini-SAS designs and are available in 1×1, 1×2, and 1×4 port configurations. The improved design supports higher data rates and greater bandwidth, aligning with the performance demands of modern enterprise storage infrastructure.

Common SAS Connector Types

• SFF-8087 (Internal Mini-SAS) – A 36-pin internal connector linking SAS or SATA controllers to internal drives. Supports up to four data channels through a single cable, ideal for connecting multiple HDDs or SSDs to a RAID controller or motherboard.

• SFF-8088 (External Mini-SAS) – A 36-pin external connector for linking external storage enclosures to host systems. Also supports up to four data channels, with robust shielding for long cable runs between systems.

• SFF-8643 (Internal Mini-SAS HD) – A 36-pin high-density internal connector offering greater performance than the SFF-8087. Common in modern servers, storage arrays, and RAID systems.

• SFF-8644 (External Mini-SAS HD) – A high-density 36-pin external connector supporting higher data rates than the SFF-8088, used for connecting external storage chassis or JBOD enclosures to servers.

• SFF-8470 – An older connector type, often used for backplane configurations. Supports multiple channels and was common in earlier storage arrays.

• SFF-8471 – A 26-pin connector for linking SAS controllers to storage backplanes, supporting multiple data channels in older enterprise systems.

Heilind Electronic’s SAS and Mini-SAS Offerings

Heilind Electronics distributes a broad range of SAS and Mini-SAS connectors from top manufacturers, ensuring availability for both legacy and cutting-edge system designs.

SAS Cable Types

To support data transfer rates of 6 Gb/s and above, SAS cables are built with high-density, precision-engineered conductors. Each cable typically contains four physical links, configured as a single 4× SAS port or two 2× SAS ports.

Both Mini-SAS and Mini-SAS HD cables feature keyed connectors to prevent misalignment and incorrect insertion. The keyed design ensures correct polarity, secure locking, and optimal signal integrity.

Manufacturers such as Samtec offer Eye Speed® I/O cable assemblies, supporting multiple protocols including SAS, SATA, Ethernet, and PCIe®.

Design Specifications

• Data Transfer Speeds: SAS-3 supports up to 12 Gb/s, SAS-4 up to 24 Gb/s, and SAS-5 is currently in development.

• Standards Compliance: Defined in ANSI/INCITS 376-2003 under the “Serial Attached SCSI” specification.

• Protocol Support: Fully compatible with the SCSI command set, while allowing integration with SATA drives for flexible storage configurations.

Markets and Applications

SAS connectors are foundational components in:

• Enterprise storage systems

• Rack-mounted servers

• High-performance workstations

• Storage enclosures and JBOD units

• High-performance computing clusters

• Host Bus Adapters (HBA)

• RAID arrays

• Data center switching equipment

Industry leaders including Amphenol Communications Solutions, Heilind Electronics, Molex, and Samtec continue to innovate in SAS interconnect solutions, ensuring the standard remains at the forefront of enterprise storage technology.