LSI Logic 8-Ports SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s PCI-Express 3.0 x8 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter (HBA) - 9300-8I

The LSI Logic 9300-8i (9300-8I) is a high-performance 8-port SATA 6Gb/s and SAS 12Gb/s Host Bus Adapter (HBA) featuring a PCI-Express 3.0 x8 interface in a low-profile form factor. Designed for IT Mode (JBOD) operation, it provides direct pass-through access to connected drives — ideal for software RAID, ZFS, and storage server deployments requiring native drive access without hardware RAID overhead.

Key Features

• 8 internal SAS 12Gb/s / SATA 6Gb/s ports for high-throughput storage connectivity
• PCI-Express 3.0 x8 host interface for maximum bandwidth
• IT Mode (JBOD) — direct drive pass-through, no hardware RAID
• Low-profile form factor with standard bracket included
• Supports up to 1,024 drives with SAS expanders
• Ideal for ZFS, software RAID, and storage server deployments

Product Specifications

• Part Number: 9300-8I
• Manufacturer: LSI Logic (Broadcom)
• Model: SAS 9300-8i HBA
• OEM Status: Genuine LSI / Broadcom OEM
• Host Interface: PCI-Express 3.0 x8
• Drive Interface: SAS 12Gb/s, SATA 6Gb/s
• Internal Ports: 8 (via 2x SFF-8643 Mini-SAS HD connectors)
• Mode: IT Mode (JBOD / pass-through)
• Form Factor: Low Profile (standard bracket included)
• Max Drive Support: Up to 1,024 (with SAS expanders)

Interface Specifications

• Host Interface: PCI-Express 3.0 x8
• Drive Interface: SAS 12Gb/s / SATA 6Gb/s
• Internal Connectors: 2x SFF-8643 Mini-SAS HD
• Compatible Slots: PCIe x8, x16 (backward compatible with PCIe 2.0)
• Max Drive Support: Up to 1,024 drives (with SAS expanders)

Performance Specifications

• Mode: IT Mode (JBOD — no hardware RAID)
• Max Throughput: Up to 6.4 GB/s aggregate
• OS Support: Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESXi, FreeBSD
• Driver: Broadcom/LSI mpt3sas
• ZFS Compatible: Yes — widely used in FreeNAS/TrueNAS deployments

Use Cases

• ZFS and software RAID storage server deployments (FreeNAS, TrueNAS, Unraid)
• Direct drive pass-through for NAS and SAN environments
• High-density storage server HBA expansion
• VMware ESXi storage connectivity with direct drive access
• Enterprise storage server SAS/SATA drive connectivity

Compatibility

• Compatible with PCIe 3.0 x8 slots (backward compatible with PCIe 2.0)
• Supports Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESXi, and FreeBSD
• Compatible with SAS and SATA HDDs and SSDs
• Widely used in FreeNAS, TrueNAS, and Unraid storage platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an HBA and a RAID controller?

An HBA (Host Bus Adapter) in IT Mode passes drives directly to the OS without hardware RAID, allowing software RAID or ZFS to manage the drives. A RAID controller manages drives in hardware RAID arrays. The 9300-8i operates in IT Mode for direct drive access.

Is the LSI 9300-8i compatible with ZFS / TrueNAS?

Yes, the LSI 9300-8i in IT Mode is one of the most widely recommended HBAs for ZFS-based storage platforms including FreeNAS, TrueNAS, and Unraid.

How many drives can the 9300-8i support?

The 9300-8i supports 8 direct-attached drives, expandable to up to 1,024 drives with SAS expanders.

The LSI Logic 9300-8i is the go-to HBA for ZFS, software RAID, and high-density storage server deployments requiring direct drive pass-through. Order today for proven LSI/Broadcom HBA performance in IT Mode.