What are SAS Connectors?

Meet the Connector: SAS Connectors

SAS connectors are used for high-speed, reliable data transfer in high-speed storage applications.

SAS connectors are rectangular connectors used for high-speed, reliable data transfer in high-speed storage applications. SAS supports both serial and parallel communication and can be backward compatible with SAS 1.0 and 2.0 devices.

SAS is a point-to-point serial data protocol. It moves data to and from hard disk drives, solid state drives, tape drives, and other computer-storage devices. SAS stands for Serial Attached SCSI (small computer system interface). The SAS standard is developed and maintained by the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) T10 technical committee. The first version, SAS-1, was first released in 2003 to replace the Parallel SCSI bus technology from the 1980s, and supported 3 Gb/s. SAS is promoted by the SCSI Trade Association (SCSITA). SAS uses the standard SCSI command set. Optional compatibility with Serial SATA, versions 2 and later, allows the connection of SATA drives to most SAS backplanes or controllers, but connecting SAS drives to SATA backplanes is not possible.

TE Connectivity’s SAS and Mini-SAS connectors offer a compact solution for high-performance computing of speeds up to 24 Gb/s.

SAS connector types

Multiple SAS connector variations exist. They are substantially smaller than SCSI connectors and vary in data transfer speeds, number of pins, number of devices (one or four), and number of lanes (one or four). They can be internal (used within a server or rack) or external (used to connect storage devices from one chassis to another).

Mini-SAS connectors are up to 30% smaller than conventional SAS connectors and increase board density on PCBs. They are used in data center applications, server clusters, and storage area networks.

Amphenol Mini-SAS High Density connector system is the next generation SAS system that provides faster data rates and more bandwidth. It provides double the port density of current Mini-SAS connectors with 1×1, 1×2, and 1×4 port options.

Some of the main SAS connector types include:

SFF-8087 – a 36-pin internal Mini-SAS connector used to connect a SAS or SATA controller to internal drives. Supports up to four data channels, allowing connections to four drives in a single cable. Commonly used in servers and storage arrays to connect multiple internal hard drives or SSDs to a RAID controller or motherboard.

SFF-8088 – a 36-pin external Mini-SAS connector used for connecting external storage enclosures to a host system. Supports up to four data channels, similar to SFF-8087 but intended for external storage solutions and connecting external drive arrays to servers or workstations.

SFF-8643 (Internal) – a 36-pin internal Mini-SAS HD (high-density) connector designed to provide higher performance and greater density compared to the older Mini-SAS connectors. Supports up to 4 data channels with improved performance over the older SFF-8087. Used in modern servers and storage systems for connecting internal drives or RAID controllers.

SFF-8644 (External) – a 36-pin external Mini-SAS HD connector, providing high-density connections for external storage devices. Supports up to four data channels with higher data rates than the older SFF-8088. Used for connecting external storage arrays or enclosures to a server or workstation.

SFF-8470 – an older type of SAS connector used for connecting multiple drives, typically in a backplane configuration. Can support multiple channels, depending on the configuration. Used in storage arrays and server backplanes to connect drives to a SAS controller.

SFF-8471 – a 26-pin connector used for connecting SAS controllers to storage backplanes. Designed to support multiple data channels, enabling connections to multiple drives. Often found in older enterprise storage systems and server backplanes.

Heilind Electronics offers a variety of SAS and Mini-SAS connectors that enable the connection of hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices to motherboards, providing essential links in diverse storage architectures, from enterprise servers to home computers.

SAS cable types

SAS cables needed to support 6 Gb/s and higher data transfer speeds are typically high density. An SAS cable contains four SAS physical links typically organized into either a single 4x SAS port or two 2x SAS ports. Each end of the cable uses a mini SAS or mini SAS HD 4x connector. Only specific cabling configurations are supported. Each mini-SAS 4x connector is keyed to help prevent cabling an unsupported configuration. HD SAS cables have a key to prevent the cable retention from latching if the cable is oriented incorrectly. This key not only ensures correct orientation, but also good cable latching.

Samtec’s Eye Speed® I/O cable assemblies support multiple protocols, such as SAS, SATA, Ethernet, PCIe® and more.

Samtec’s Eye Speed® I/O cable assemblies support multiple protocols, such as SAS, SATA, Ethernet, PCIe® and more.

Design Notes 

Data transfer speeds: SAS-3 up to 12 Gb/s; SAS-4 up to 24 Gb/s; SAS-5 is under development.

Standards: SAS is specified in the ANSI standard called Serial-Attached SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), also known as ANSI/InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) 376-2003.

Markets and Applications 

Datacom

Storage systems, rack-mount servers, workstations, storage racks, high-performance computing, HBAs (host bus adapters), RAID (redundant arrays of inexpensive disks), switches, enterprise storage, data centers

Suppliers 

Amphenol Communications Solutions, Heilind, Molex, Samtec Inc.

Related products 

SATA connectors

SCSI connectors

Like this article? Check out our other Meet the Connector and Connector Basics articles, our Datacom/Telecom Market Page, and our 2025 Article Archives. 

Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletters, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, and check out our eBook archives for more applicable, expert-informed connectivity content.