PM8270B-F3EI

Overview

The Microchip Technology PM8270B-F3EI is a SmartIOC 2200 PCIe Gen 4 SAS-4 Tri-Mode IO storage controller designed for enterprise server storage. It features up to x16 PCIe connectivity to the host and supports up to 32 tri-mode storage lanes with integrated Switchtec technology. The device provides hardware RAID capabilities (RAID 0, 1, 10, 5) and native HBA modes for NVMe, SAS-4, and SATA media. Key specifications include >3.0M 4K RR IOPs performance and up to 26 GBps bandwidth. It incorporates Dynamic Channel Multiplexing (DCM) for bandwidth aggregation and includes security features such as IEEE 1619-compliant AES-XTS encryption support and hardware root-of-trust.

Feature Summary

• Supports automatic detection and link speed negotiation for PCIe, SAS, and SATA via Universal Backplane Management.
• Integrates Switchtec PCIe Gen 2, Gen 3, and Gen 4 switch technology for low-latency NVMe connectivity.
• Provides hardware-assisted error recovery and Secure Boot/Secure Update capabilities through hardware root-of-trust.
• Enables flexible port bifurcation down to x1 and supports mixed NVMe/SAS storage topologies.

Applications

• Enterprise rack servers requiring high-performance storage fan-out.
• Hyperscale server architectures utilizing dense cloud storage configurations.
• Servers managing mixed NVMe and SAS drive topologies with unified management.
• Systems requiring hardware RAID boot volumes alongside high-speed storage drives.

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific part number against official Microchip documentation to ensure compatibility with required memory configurations and packaging dimensions. Confirm that the selected variant meets the necessary encryption and data protection standards for your deployment environment. Cross-reference ordering information to validate host and disk lane allocations before procurement.

Selection Notes

Select the PM8270B-F3EI when a 16x16 lane configuration with a 31 mm x 31 mm package is required. This model excludes built-in hardware encryption compared to the 'e' suffix variants. Ensure the system design accommodates the specific physical dimensions and PCIe Gen 4 host interface requirements specified in the datasheet.

Part Context

The PM8270B-F3EI belongs to the SmartIOC 2200 family of fifth-generation IO controllers. This series represents Microchip's solution for versatile, secure NVMe/SAS/SATA server storage connectivity. The family integrates advanced manageability and security features to support modern data center architectures and mixed-media storage environments.

Replacement Considerations

The PM8270B-F3EI is functionally similar to other SmartIOC 2200 models but differs in lane count and package size. Consider the PM8274B-F3EI for a 16x32 lane configuration or the PM8252B-F3EI for an 8x8 configuration. Verify package dimensions and encryption requirements when substituting within the family.

FAQ

What RAID levels are supported by the SmartIOC 2200?

The SmartIOC 2200 supports cacheless RAID levels 0, 1, 10, and 5.

Does the PM8270B-F3EI include hardware encryption?

No, the PM8270B-F3EI does not include built-in hardware encryption. Encryption-capable variants are designated with an 'e' suffix, such as the PM8271B-F3EI.

How does Dynamic Channel Multiplexing (DCM) benefit this controller?

DCM provides bandwidth aggregation for lower-speed drives over SAS-4 links when connected to Microchip's SXP 24G SAS-4 expanders, achieving near 100% efficiency.