The two leading types of Solid State Drives (SSD) for enterprises are SATA & SAS. The SAS SSD is designed for enterprise-grade storage requirements to enhance performance, scalability, and security, while the SATA SSD is used for less resource-intensive applications. That said, both Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) and Serial Advance Technology Advancement (SATA) SSD are used in server storage systems.
Here we will cover some key differences between SATA SSD and SAS SSD in detail.
Difference Between SAS SSD & SATA SSD
The SAS & SATA SSD are two popular choices for servers. So, it is crucial to know the difference between them to make an informed decision.
Here is an overview of the differences between SAS SSD vs. SATA SSD in Tabular format.
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Features
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SAS SSD
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SATA SSD
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Interface
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SCSI protocols
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Serial ATA protocols
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Connection
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SAS connector
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SATA connecter
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Compatibility
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Requires a compatible motherboard
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Works in any standard motherboard
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Latency
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Below 100 microseconds to over 100 ms
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Below 1 millisecond (ms) to over 100 ms
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Commands per queue
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256
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32
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Power Consumption (theoretical)
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Up to 8 to 14 watts
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Up to 2 to 4 watts
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Speed (theoretical)
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Up to 12 Gb/s
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Up to 600 MB/s
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Security
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Hardware encryption
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Software encryption
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Storage capacity
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Ranges from 256 GB to 15 TB
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Ranges from 256 GB to 15 TB
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Life
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5 to 10 years
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5 to 10 years
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Cost
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Less expensive
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More expensive
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Application
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High-performance settings like server machines
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Low-performance settings like home computers
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Read & Write Speed
SATA SSD offers a theoretical read & write speed of 600 MegaBytes per second (MB/s), while SAS SSD provides a speed of 12 GigaBits per Second (Gb/s).
SAS SSDs are capable of transferring & processing data at a significantly faster rate than SATA SSDs for two reasons:
- SAS SSD has wider busses allowing more data to be transferred.
- SAS SSD has a dual porting feature.
Dual port operation
SATA interfaces offer single-point connection, while SAS interfaces support multiple connections, known as dual porting. It enables SAS SSD to connect to multiple storage arrays in the same system. This gives two significant advantages over SATA SSDs:
- Dual porting increases storage capacity, creating a larger & more accessible pool of data.
- As the need for storage capacity increases, additional storage arrays can easily be added.
This feature is also used as a fail-safe, if one data path fails, another takes its place.
Storage Capacity
SAS & SATA SSDs typically range from 256 GB to 15 TB, and more. However, due to dual porting, and wide data bus connection, SAS SSD provides faster, & more reliable storage access.
Budget
SAS SSDs are more expensive than SATA SSDs due to their increased performance, and custom build for enterprise applications. They are faster, more reliable, scalable & more secure than SATA SSDs.
Smart Tech (SCSI)
SAS SSD utilizes the SCSI (SAS) interface, designed specifically for enterprise-level storage systems. For example Servers, mainframes, and workstations.
SATA SSDs, unlike SAS SSDs, utilize SATA interfaces, ideal for consumer applications. For example: Computers, laptops, and notebooks.
Security Features
SAS SSDs support hardware-based encryption, commonly known as Self-Encrypting drives (SED). In contrast, SATA drives support software-based encryption, which is comparatively less secure, and more resource-intensive than SEDs.
Which one to choose SAS SSD & SATA SSD?
It is difficult to choose between storage technologies. However, the following checklists can narrow down the diverse options.
Speed: It is important to consider the speed of the storage drives because this directly impacts the performance of the system. For example: SAS SSD has greater speed than SATA SSD.
Compatibility: The SATA SSDs are compatible with any standard motherboard. However, SAS SSDs can only be connected via the SAS connector on the motherboard.
Security & accessibility: Any storage device must have some security feature to secure sensitive data. That said, the SAS SSD provides hardware encryption more secure than the SATA SSD.
Scalability: SATA SSDs provide flexible storage capacity, but lack performance. On the other hand, SAS SSD has dual porting which increases the storage capacity & accessibility of the system
Best SAS & SATA SSD Devices for sale
The following are some of the best Solid State Drives for sale from Computing Worlds collection of storage devices:
SAS SSD
SATA SSD
Frequently Ask Questions:
Are SATA and SAS Drives Interchangeable?
No, SAS & SATA drives are not interchangeable. They use the same SATA connector, but their protocols & interfaces are different.
Is SAS Better than SATA?
It depends on the need. SAS is faster, & more scalable than SATA, but at a high price.
Are SAS Drives Compatible with SATA?
Technically, yes, you can use an adapter to connect SAS drives with a SATA interface. But, it is not recommended as it decreases the drive's performance.
SAS SSDs are fast & scalable, while SATA SSDs are slower & have limited features. However, SATA SSDs are cost-effective & compatible with older servers. On the other hand, SAS SSDs are less cost-effective, & incompatible with older servers.
So, it is always better to evaluate your needs, budget, and requirements before buying an SSD.
To get more information on different types of SSD, stay connected with Computing Worlds blogs.
