Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i 2GB Flash PCIe 12Gb Internal Adapter

The Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i is a high-performance, cost-efficient 12 Gb/s SAS RAID-on-Chip (ROC) internal adapter engineered for enterprise storage environments. Designed to deliver fast, reliable storage acceleration within Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, this 9350-8i combines robust on-board caching, flexible RAID capabilities, and seamless management to simplify deployment and ongoing maintenance. With 2GB of flash cache and support for advanced RAID levels, this controller helps businesses protect data, optimize I/O, and scale storage as workloads grow. Whether you’re building a dense storage array, consolidating workloads, or needing resilient performance for databases and virtualization, the RAID 9350-8i is crafted to meet demanding enterprise needs while minimizing total cost of ownership.

• Powerful 12Gb/s SAS ROC architecture: The ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i operates as a RAID-on-Chip controller, offloading RAID calculations from the host CPU and delivering low-latency, high-throughput performance. This architecture is optimized for sustained I/O workloads, making it ideal for databases, virtualization, and large-scale storage pools. By handling parity calculations and array management on the card, it frees server resources to tackle other tasks, resulting in faster application response times and improved overall system efficiency.
• 8 internal SAS/SATA ports for dense configurations: Designed to fit into standard ThinkSystem server chassis, the 9350-8i provides eight internal ports to connect SAS or SATA drives. This enables compact, high-density storage layouts without sacrificing performance or reliability. The multi-ports design supports scalable configurations—from simple mirror setups to complex multi-disk arrays—allowing you to tailor storage to your exact workload needs while reducing cable clutter and optimizing airflow within the server chassis.
• 2GB flash cache for accelerated I/O operations: The onboard 2GB flash cache acts as a fast intermediary between the host system and storage devices, dramatically reducing read and write latency for frequently accessed data. This cache helps improve sequential and random I/O performance, delivering snappier application throughput and quicker data access. In mixed-workloads common to virtualization, analytics, and enterprise apps, the cache can significantly shorten response times and improve user experience without requiring changes to the host OS or applications.
• Comprehensive RAID levels for data protection and resilience: The RAID 9350-8i supports a wide range of RAID configurations, including RAID-0, RAID-1, RAID-5, RAID-6, RAID-10, RAID-50, and RAID-60. This breadth gives you flexible data protection options—from simple speed-focused stripes to dual-parity arrays that safeguard against multiple drive failures. RAID-6 and RAID-60, in particular, provide strong fault tolerance for mission-critical workloads, enabling rebuilds and continued operation even in the event of multiple drive failures. Paired with on-card intelligence, this makes the 9350-8i a reliable backbone for enterprise storage farms and critical applications.
• Integrated Lenovo management tools for simple deployment and ongoing care: The 9350-8i is designed to integrate seamlessly with Lenovo management ecosystems, including Lenovo XClarity and ThinkSystem management tools. This ensures straightforward installation, real-time health monitoring, firmware updates, and centralized configuration across multiple controllers in cohesive Lenovo environments. The result is reduced administrative overhead, improved visibility into drive health and performance, and quicker responses to potential issues before they impact production workloads.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i 2GB Flash PCIe 12Gb Internal Adapter

• Interface: PCIe-based internal RAID controller designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, enabling fast integration into your server ecosystem.
• Storage protocol: 12Gb/s SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) connectivity for high-speed data transfer between host and disk drives.
• Ports: 8 internal SAS/SATA ports to support dense, scalable drive configurations.
• Cache: 2GB of onboard flash cache to accelerate read and write operations and improve overall I/O performance.
• RAID levels supported: RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 for flexible data protection and performance tuning.
• Management: Native support for Lenovo management tools, including Lenovo XClarity and ThinkSystem software for simplified deployment, monitoring, and firmware updates.
• Form factor: PCIe add-in card designed for integration into supported ThinkSystem servers and compatible storage backplanes.

How to install Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i

Installing the Lenovo ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i is a straightforward process that minimizes downtime and aligns with standard server maintenance procedures. Follow these steps to ensure a clean, reliable deployment and to maximize the performance benefits of the ROC accelerator.

1) Prepare the server and hardware – Power down the server following your organization’s shutdown procedure and unplug the system. Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe expansion slot that meets the card’s requirements. Ensure you have the necessary hardware tools, ESD protection, and a clean workspace. If you are replacing an existing controller, take care to record current drive mappings and array configurations to facilitate a smooth transition.

2) Install the RAID controller – Insert the ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i into the selected PCIe slot and secure the card with the appropriate screw to the chassis. Connect any required internal data cables to the backplane or drives as dictated by your storage architecture. Verify the physical connection is snug and that the card sits firmly in the slot to prevent intermittent contact during operation.

3) Power on and recognize the device – Reassemble the server chassis, reconnect power, and boot the system. During POST, confirm that the system recognizes the new PCIe RAID controller. If the BIOS recognizes the card, you can proceed to install or update firmware and drivers, depending on your deployment path.

4) Install drivers and firmware – Install the latest driver and firmware packages for the 9350-8i from Lenovo’s support resources or through your standard software distribution process. Keeping firmware up to date is critical for stability, performance, and compatibility with newer drives and backplanes. If you use Lenovo XClarity, you can also push firmware updates and monitor health remotely.

5) Configure and build RAID arrays – Use the Lenovo management interface, BIOS RAID utility, or compatible management software to create and configure your arrays. Define the desired RAID level, stripe size, and cache configurations. Plan rebuilds and capacity expansion to balance performance with redundancy. After creating the arrays, initialize them according to your data protection policy, and verify visibility from the host operating system.

6) Validate performance and monitor health – Run baseline I/O tests to verify throughput and latency align with expectations for your workload. Set up ongoing monitoring in Lenovo XClarity or your preferred monitoring tool to receive alerts for drive failures, cache status, and RAID health. Document the configuration for future maintenance and audits.

Best practices – Maintain a consistent firmware update cycle across your ThinkSystem fleet, including parental backplane and drive firmware if applicable. Ensure compatibility with your operating system, hypervisor, and storage topology. When mixing drives of different speeds or types, align them to reduce bottlenecks. Consider enabling read ahead caching and write-back cache policies if your workload benefits from aggressive caching while ensuring data protection with reliable power management and backups.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads is the ThinkSystem RAID 9350-8i best suited for?
  A: It is ideal for enterprise storage environments with needs for high I/O throughput, robust data protection, and scalable capacity. Use cases include database hosting, virtualization environments, large-scale backups, and virtualization clusters where fast, reliable RAID acceleration can reduce latency and improve application performance.
• Q: Does the card include a battery backup unit (BBU) or require one?
  A: The product description specifies a 2GB flash cache and ROC-based caching; it does not indicate included BBU. For enhanced write durability in certain scenarios, evaluate your data protection requirements and consider your server's power protection options or an external BBU/BBF solution if your deployment demands it.
• Q: Which Lenovo management tools work with this controller?
  A: Lenovo XClarity and ThinkSystem management tools are designed to integrate with the RAID 9350-8i, enabling centralized monitoring, firmware updates, health checks, and configuration across compatible ThinkSystem environments.
• Q: Can this controller be used in non-Lenovo servers?
  A: While designed for ThinkSystem servers, the card may be compatible with other systems that support PCIe and SAS backplanes. For non-Lenovo deployments, verify vendor compatibility lists and drivers before purchasing or installing.
• Q: What happens if a drive fails in an array?
  A: Depending on the RAID level, the controller can perform rebuilds to restore redundancy using the remaining healthy disks. The ROC offloads parity calculations and rebuild tasks, which helps minimize rebuild impact on host performance. Regular monitoring and prompt replacement of failed drives are recommended to maintain data protection.