From: "Elliott, Robert (Server Storage)" <Elliott@hp.com>
To: "t10@t10.org" <t10@t10.org>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:06:47 +0000
Subject: RE: miniSAS active cable keying
X-Message-Number: 8872
Formatted message: HTML-formatted message

The receptacle key slots will mean:
a) no key slots: SAS-1 phy present, only <= 6 m passive cables supported
b) key slot 1: SAS-2 phy present, > 6 m passive cables supported
c) key slot 2: power provided.	A SAS-2 phy is probably present, but that's
orthogonal.
A SAS-1.x receptacle includes no key slots.
A SAS-2.x receptacle not providing power will just include key slot 1.
A SAS-2.1 receptacle providing power will include both key slots 1 and 2.
The cable keys will mean:
a) none: <= 6 m passive cable
b) key 1: > 6 m passive cable, needs a SAS-2 phy
c) key 2: active cable, needs power
This ensures that:
1. short passive cables plug in everywhere
2. long passive cables only plug into receptacles with SAS-2 phys
3. active cables only plug into receptacles with power
It's up to the power supply logic behind a receptacle with key slot 2 to
determine if the cable is passive or active and only provide power to an
active cable.
(NOTE: the numbers of the key positions may change... e.g., these might be
slots "1" and "5" in the end)
---
Rob Elliott, HP Industry Standard Server Storage
________________________________
From: owner-t10@t10.org [mailto:owner-t10@t10.org] On Behalf Of
Alvin.Cox@seagate.com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 9:04 AM
To: t10@t10.org
Subject: miniSAS active cable keying
During our last SAS phy conference call, there were separate keys indicated
for active cables (see
08-257r0<http://www.t10.org/ftp/t10/document.08/08-257r0.pdf>;). I am
wondering what the implementation plan is. The keys provide no protection
from plugging in a SAS 1.1 (legacy passive) cable and the phy's should work
with the SAS 2.0 10-meter passive version, so what is the advantage of adding
this key? I guess I am missing something in the planned implementation. Could
someone elaborate?
Alvin Cox
Seagate Technology, LLC
Office 405-381-8067
Cell 405-206-4809
E-Mail	alvin.cox@seagate.com