AFM 600 DATA SHEET
Adaptec Flash Module Zero-Maintenance
Cache Protection Kit (AFM 600)
Maximum Data Protection and Cost Savings for Adaptec Series 6
Series 6Q and Series 6T RAID Controllers
Enabling the onboard cache on a RAID
controller card signi cantly enhances
performance — especially in RAID 5 and
RAID 6 scenarios — by accommodating both
read caching and write caching of data. But
data stored in the cache for write caching can
be lost if the cache is not protected against a
power or system failure.
Lithium-ion battery backup units (BBUs)
are traditionally employed to protect cached
data on RAID controllers, but they are not an
optimal solution. BBUs have hidden costs that
can drastically increase a RAID controller’s
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by thousands
of dollars per year, including monitoring
and maintenance expenses. Over time, all
batteries lose their ability to hold a charge,
so BBUs need to be periodically replaced
and the old units must be disposed of in an
environmentally-responsible manner.
Once installed, a new BBU will take several
hours to reach a full charge, leaving the write
cache turned off and aff ecting performance.
To make matters worse, even a typical BBU
needs to test capacity regularly and performs
suboptimal during those test periods.
Additionally a fully-charged BBU can only
preserve data for a maximum of 72 hours
during a power loss before the battery power
depletes.
Zero-Maintenance Cache Protection
Now in its second generation, Adaptec Zero-
Maintenance Cache Protection (ZMCP)
drastically reduces a controller’s TCO by using
ash memory instead of BBUs to provide
full protection of cached data without the
monitoring, maintenance, replacement, and
disposal requirements and costs associated
with Lithium-ion batteries.
Adaptec Flash Module 600
ZMCP is available for Adaptec Series 6 and
6T controllers as an optional Adaptec Flash
Module (AFM 600) and is preinstalled on
all Series 6Q models supporting Adaptec
maxCache SSD caching feature. e modular
aspect of the AFM 600 gives data centers the
exibility of adding ZMCP at any time, or not
adding it at all, depending on budgets and
requirements. Competitive alternatives are
built into the controller cards — forcing data
centers to purchase a new card in order to
add cache protection.
e AFM 600 features 4GB of NAND ash
memory and super capacitor technology that
work together to save cached data in the event
of system power loss. e super capacitor
charges while the system is booting to provide
instant cache protection upon startup. When
the module detects loss of power, the super
capacitor keeps critical parts of the controller
active long enough to allow data to be copied
from the onboard controller cache to the ash
memory.
Once the data has been copied, the ash
memory can store it for years without power,
allowing for less urgency in disaster recovery
plans than the 72-hour BBU threshold. When
power is returned to the controller, the data
in the ash memory is copied back to the
onboard controller cache and operation
resumes as normal with all outstanding I/O
requests intact.
Product Highlights
Cached Data Protection for 6Gb/s
Ecosystem
— Add-on module for Adaptec
Series 6 and 6T RAID controllers
— Included with Series 6Q RAID
controllers
Single-Level Cell (SLC) Flash
— Faster writes and better reliability
than Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Flash
Low Operating Costs
— No monitoring, maintenance,
replacement or disposal costs
due to batteries
— More than 40% cost savings over
a four-year period vs. BBUs
No Data Loss from Power Failures
— Replaces Lithium-ion batteries
Maintenance-Free Cached Data
Protection
— No need to monitor battery charge
level
— No shutdown required for battery
replacement
— Stores protected data for years
Instant RAID Cache Protection
— Charges in minutes instead of hours
— RAID performance optimized
immediately
Environmentally Conscious
— No toxic battery disposal
— Simplifi ed IATA compliance
>
AFM 600 DATA SHEET
PMC-Sierra, Inc.
1380 Bordeaux Dr.
Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA
Tel: +1 (408) 239-8000
© Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. PMC, PMC-SIERRA and Adaptec are registered trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. “Adaptec by PMC” is a trademark of PMC-Sierra, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. For a complete list of PMC-Sierra trademarks, see www.pmc-sierra.com/legal.
DS_AFM600_012612_US Information subject to change without notice.
World Wide Web: www.adaptec.com
Pre-Sales Support: US and Canada: 1 (800) 442-7274 or (408) 957-7274 or adaptecsales@pmc-sierra.com
UK: +44 1276 854 528 or uk_sales@pmc-sierra.com
Australia: +61-2-90116787
Singapore: +65-92351044
Why to buy The Adaptec Flash Module 600 (AFM 600) provides Zero-Maintenance Cache Protection (ZMCP) for
Adaptec Series 6, Series 6T and Series 6Q RAID controllers to protect data in the controller cache without
incurring monitoring, maintenance, replacement, or disposal costs.
Customer Needs Solutions that require advanced protection of data and reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Compatible Products • Adaptec RAID 6405
• Adaptec RAID 6445
• Adaptec RAID 6805
• Adaptec RAID 6405T
• Adaptec RAID 6805T
• Adaptec RAID 6805Q (included)
• Adaptec RAID 6805TQ (included)
Operating Temperature 0°C to 50°C (with 200 LFM airflow)
Operating Voltage 0.17A @ 3.3V; 1.25A @ 12V measured on PCIe Gen2 systems with a Series 6 controller and 6G drives
Regulatory Certification CE, FCC, UL, C-tick, VCCI, KCC
Environmental Compliance RoHS, REACH
Typical Lifespan 7 years at 40°C
Warranty 3 years
Part Number 2269700-R
Parameter Typical RAID controller
with Lithium-ion BBU Adaptec RAID 6805
Adapter Price $ 595 SRP $ 550 SRP
Cost for Cache Protection $ 175 (BBU) $ 195 SRP
Replacement BBU $ 175 $ 0
Serviceability $ 265 $ 0
Disposal – Hazmat $ 25 $ 0
Total 4 year cost $ 1235 $ 745 SRP
BBUs vs. ZMCP: Maintenance Requirements
BBUs vs. Series 6 with ZMCP Cost Comparison
Adaptec Flash Module 600 (AFM 600)
In typical real-world scenarios, ZMCP offers cost savings of more than 40% over a four-year period.
Lithium-ion BBUs Adaptec by PMC ZMCP
Batteries must be “conditioned” during initial deployment, adding custom steps and several hours to
the deployment process No action required
Battery performance must be continually monitored so that failing batteries can be replaced No action required
A failed battery must be replaced within 72 hours, and sometimes less No action required
Batteries must be replaced on a regular maintenance cycle, so replacement batteries must be kept
available at each location and maintenance staff must be on-site or on-call No action required
Replacement batteries “age” even when on the shelf, so a continual purchasing process must be
developed and implemented No action required
Lithium-ion batteries must be properly disposed. A process to dispose of the hazardous material must
be created, staffed, and funded No action required
