Host Bus Adapters for Servers

What is a host bus adapter?

The host bus adapter, or HBA for short, is a hardware component that forms the interface between server and storage devices such as hard disks. The host bus adapter enables the operating system to store and retrieve data, thereby increasing the performance of the server. It is possible to install the HBA directly on the mainboard, but additional plug-in cards are usually used for servers.

Types of HBAs

HBAs in the server sector are differentiated according to the connections and protocols used:

• SATA / SAS HBA: connects computers, workstations or servers to a network via SAS or SATA ports. As a further development of SCSI, SAS offers a higher bandwidth and therefore higher data transfer rates.
• NVMe HBA: connects servers, preferably with SSDs, using NVMe connections. NVMe offers a higher bandwidth and lower latency times than SAS / SATA and therefore better performance.
• Fibre Channel HBA: connects servers to a Fibre Channel network. The fibre optic connection allows large amounts of data to be transported quickly.
• InfiniBand HBA: connects servers to an InfiniBand network. Thanks to the particularly high data transfer rates, these host bus adapters are suitable for high-performance computing applications, for example in data centres.

Other types, such as SCSI and iSCSI HBAs, are now quite outdated and are no longer commonly found in the server sector. Which type is suitable for your server system depends on which ports your existing devices have.

HBA or RAID controller? Features, advantages and differences

In principle, both host bus adapters and RAID controllers have the role of connecting the server to storage devices. However, there are some differences between the two components. While RAID controllers manage the data and can not only store it, but also mirror it and therefore secure it, HBAs have no other function than to pass the hard disks directly to the operating system.

When using the HBA with IT mode firmware, the operating system itself, such as TrueNAS or FreeNAS, takes over control with the ZFS file system. One of the advantages of this is that if the HBA fails, any other HBA with the same ports can be used. If a RAID controller is defective, it must be replaced with the same model in order to recognise the existing RAID array and be able to continue processing it. Therefore, using a host bus adapter allows you to be more flexible.

Another advantage of HBAs is the ability to read smart values from the hard disks and SSDs, which provide information, for example, when read or write errors occur, and when it is foreseeable that the component will soon need to be replaced. These values are passed on by the HBA to the operating system so that the administrator can be informed automatically if failures are to be expected. This ensures reliable monitoring of the devices.

Modern mainboards have the capacity to store and access data in a controlled manner via software RAID, which in many cases makes RAID controllers superfluous. Trends are continuing in the direction of software-defined storage, so it is to be expected that HBAs will gradually replace RAID controllers.

Host bus adapters from well-known brands

Most HBAs for servers and workstations here in our shop are available from the manufacturer Broadcom, which now also includes the LSI brand. However, brands that are more familiar to end users, such as HP, Dell and Fujitsu, also offer professional host bus adapters. You can find HBAs labelled OEM here and elsewhere online. These components may have branding from different brands but are technically identical. This is why the same host bus adapters may be listed under different part numbers.

Used server components from a specialized retailer

Here in the HaehnleinIT Inc. online shop, you will find mostly used and refurbished server components. In addition to HBAs, we also stock server network cards, accessories like cables, battery modules and more.

The biggest advantage of used server technology is the significantly lower acquisition costs compared to new goods. In addition, used technology is sustainable, as fewer new components need to be manufactured and waste is reduced. Used hardware also makes it possible to supply older systems with spare parts and not be forced to resort to newer and more expensive models.

Do you have any questions about our products, or would you like to have a system customized for you? We will be happy to advise you. Simply message us!