DELL MS-ASA-80165H Microsemi Sas Host Bus Adapter Hba Card 4-PORT 12GB/S Controller

( Brand: Dell ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: MS-ASA-80165H ), ( Part Type: Adapter Controller Card )

Review DELL Microsemi 4-port Sas 12gb/s Host Bus Adapter Hba Controller Card

The **Dell MS-ASA-80165H (Microsemi) 4-Port SAS 12Gb/s Host Bus Adapter (HBA) Controller Card** is a high-performance, enterprise-grade storage solution designed to deliver unparalleled reliability, scalability, and efficiency for demanding data center environments. Engineered with Microsemi s advanced **12Gb/s SAS technology**, this HBA card maximizes bandwidth and throughput, enabling seamless connectivity to high-speed storage arrays, disk drives, and enterprise-class SAN (Storage Area Network) infrastructures. With four robust **12Gb/s SAS ports**, it provides a robust foundation for high-performance data transfer, supporting both internal and external storage configurations with minimal latency and optimal data integrity. The card is built on a **low-profile PCIe 3.0 x8 interface**, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of server platforms while maintaining exceptional speed and efficiency. Its **dual-port redundancy** capability enhances fault tolerance, allowing for seamless failover and continuous data availability, which is critical for mission-critical applications. The **Microsemi ASIC-based controller** ensures superior error handling, data protection, and advanced features such as **SAS Expander support**, enabling the expansion of storage networks without compromising performance. Ideal for data-intensive workloads, including virtualization, database management, and high-performance computing, this HBA card is a strategic investment for organizations seeking to future-proof their storage infrastructure. Its **enterprise-grade build quality**, coupled with Dell s commitment to reliability, makes it a trusted choice for businesses requiring robust, high-speed storage connectivity in demanding IT environments.

### **Pros and Cons of buying a Dell MS-ASA-80165H (Microsemi 4-Port SAS 12Gb/s HBA Controller Card)**

#### **Pros**

1. **High Performance and Speed** The 12Gb/s SAS interface provides significantly faster data transfer rates compared to older 6Gb/s HBAs, reducing latency and improving throughput in storage-intensive environments.

2. **Enterprise-Grade Reliability** As a Dell-branded Microsemi (now Broadcom) solution, this HBA is designed for enterprise storage systems, offering robust error handling, data integrity, and long-term stability.

3. **Compatibility with Modern Storage Arrays** Supports high-end SAS storage (e.g., Dell EMC, NetApp, HPE, and other enterprise-grade SAN/NAS systems) with advanced features like multi-pathing and RAID support.

4. **Scalability** The four-port configuration allows for redundancy (failover) and expansion, making it suitable for servers requiring multiple storage connections without bottlenecks.

5. **Low Latency** Optimized for low-latency applications such as databases, virtualization, and high-frequency trading, where every millisecond counts.

6. **Dell Support and Warranty** Comes with Dell s standard warranty and technical support, ensuring easier troubleshooting and replacement if issues arise.

7. **Future-Proofing** 12Gb/s SAS remains relevant for mid-to-high-end storage solutions, even as NVMe and newer protocols emerge, making it a solid choice for current and near-future deployments.

8. **Hot-Plug Capability** Most enterprise HBAs support hot-swapping, allowing for maintenance without downtime.

9. **Driver and Firmware Support** Well-supported by major OS vendors (Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESXi), ensuring compatibility with most enterprise environments.

10. **Cost-Effective for High-Performance Needs** While more expensive than basic HBAs, its performance justifies the cost in professional settings where speed and reliability are critical.

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#### **Cons**

1. **High Cost** Compared to cheaper 6Gb/s or even some 12Gb/s alternatives (e.g., LSI/MEGARAID cards), this Dell-branded HBA is priced at a premium, which may not be justified for budget-conscious setups.

2. **Overkill for Basic Use Cases** If you re running a small file server, home lab, or low-demand workload, a 12Gb/s HBA may offer little practical benefit over a 6Gb/s or even a basic PCIe NVMe adapter.

3. **Power and Heat Consumption** High-speed SAS ports draw more power and generate heat, which may require additional cooling in densely populated server racks.

4. **Limited NVMe Support** Unlike some newer HBAs, this card is primarily optimized for SAS storage and may not offer the same level of NVMe acceleration as dedicated NVMe HBAs or add-in cards.

5. **Vendor Lock-In (Dell-Specific)** While Dell s branding ensures compatibility with their ecosystem, it may limit flexibility if you later switch to non-Dell storage or servers.

6. **Potential Driver Complexity** Some enterprise HBAs require careful driver management, especially in virtualized environments, which could introduce minor setup challenges.

7. **Physical Size and Slot Requirements** A full-height, dual-width card may not fit in all server chassis, particularly in compact or low-profile systems.

8. **Deprecation Risk** While still relevant, 12Gb/s SAS is gradually being phased out in favor of NVMe-oF (NVMe over Fabrics) and newer protocols, which could reduce long-term relevance in cutting-edge deployments.

---

### **Conclusion**

The **Dell MS-ASA-80165H (Microsemi 4-Port 12Gb/s SAS HBA)** is an excellent choice for **enterprise storage environments** where high performance, reliability, and scalability are critical. It excels in **SAN/NAS setups, virtualization, databases, and high-demand workloads** where low latency and multi-pathing are essential.

However, for **budget-conscious users, small-scale deployments, or NVMe-heavy workloads**, a cheaper 6Gb/s HBA or a dedicated NVMe adapter might be more practical. If you re already in a Dell ecosystem or require maximum SAS performance, this card is a strong, supported option.

---

### **Recommendation**

- You are running a **Dell EMC or enterprise-grade storage array** (e.g., PowerStore, PowerScale, VMAX).

- Your workload demands **high-speed SAS connectivity** (e.g., large databases, virtualized environments, or high-frequency data processing).

- You need **four SAS ports for redundancy and expansion** in a server.

- You prioritize **Dell support and warranty** over third-party alternatives.

- You re working with **budget constraints** and can use a 6Gb/s or NVMe solution instead.

- Your primary storage is **NVMe-based**, as this card is optimized for SAS, not NVMe acceleration.

- You re using **non-Dell servers or storage** and prefer vendor-neutral hardware.

- Your server lacks **sufficient power delivery or cooling** for a high-end HBA.

- **LSI/MEGARAID 9407-8i** (similar performance, often cheaper, broader compatibility).

- **Dell H200/H310** (cheaper, 6Gb/s, better for basic SAS needs).

- **NVMe Add-in Cards** (e.g., Intel Optane, Broadcom NVMe HBAs) if NVMe is your primary storage interface.

For most **enterprise SAS deployments**, the **MS-ASA-80165H is a reliable, high-performance choice**, but weigh its cost against your specific needs before purchasing.

Details:

Rail Kits and Bezels. If a return or replacement is needed, we'll provide the label. Switch Form Factor. Server Rack Units.

PDU Form Factor. Network Card Form Factor. Server Compatibility. We'll provide either a UPS, FedEx, or USPS label for the return depending on exact item.

We typically use UPS or FedEx for larger packages. CPU Fans Heat Sinks.

part #: msasa80165h price

• $49.99

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• brand: Dell
• mpn: Ms-asa-80165h
• part type: Adapter Controller Card

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