ASUS PIKE II 3008-8i Network Server with RAID Controller, SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s, PCI Express 3.0 x8, and 8 Internal Ports

ASUS PIKE II 3008-8i Network Server

The ASUS PIKE II 3008-8i is a high‑performance storage controller designed for enterprise and data‑center environments. Built around the powerful LSI SAS 3008 chipset, it delivers exceptional throughput, low latency, and robust reliability.

Key Technical Specifications

• Chipset: LSI SAS 3008
• PCI Express Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 (full‑width)
• Data Transfer Rate: Up to 12 Gb/s
• Supported Storage Interfaces: SAS, Serial ATA II, Serial ATA III
• Internal Mini‑SAS Ports: 2 (SFF‑8643)
• RAID Levels Supported: 0, 1, 1E, 10
• LED Indicators: Yes – for status monitoring
• Dimensions: Width: 127 mm, Height: 50.8 mm

Design and Form Factor

The controller adopts a low‑profile design, measuring only 50.8 mm in height while maintaining a width of 127 mm. This compact footprint allows seamless integration into standard server chassis without compromising airflow or space for additional components.

Performance and Throughput

With the LSI SAS 3008 chipset, the PIKE II 3008-8i achieves a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 12 Gb/s. This high data rate supports demanding workloads such as virtualization, large database operations, and real‑time analytics. The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface ensures that the controller can fully exploit this bandwidth without bottlenecks.

RAID Flexibility

The device natively supports hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 1E, and 10. This flexibility allows administrators to tailor storage configurations for performance, redundancy, or a balance of both. The inclusion of RAID 1E provides an efficient way to combine mirroring with striping, optimizing capacity while maintaining fault tolerance.

Connectivity

Equipped with two internal Mini‑SAS (SFF‑8643) ports, the PIKE II 3008-8i can connect up to eight SATA or SAS drives. This configuration supports a wide range of storage media, from high‑speed enterprise SSDs to cost‑effective HDD arrays.

Reliability Features

• LED Status Indicators: Real‑time visual feedback on link status and error conditions.
• Hardware RAID Engine: Offloads RAID calculations from the host CPU, reducing overhead and improving overall system performance.
• Robust Firmware Support: Regular updates ensure compatibility with evolving storage technologies and operating systems.

Ideal Use Cases

The ASUS PIKE II 3008-8i excels in environments that demand:

• High throughput for data‑intensive applications.
• Scalable storage solutions with up to eight drives.
• Flexible RAID configurations for both performance and redundancy.
• Compact, low‑profile hardware suitable for dense server deployments.

Conclusion

Combining the proven LSI SAS 3008 chipset with a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, the ASUS PIKE II 3008-8i delivers a powerful, reliable, and versatile storage controller. Its compact design, high data rates, and comprehensive RAID support make it an excellent choice for modern enterprise servers that require both performance and flexibility.