Choose the AOC-S2308L-L8E for IT (HBA) mode and the AOC-S2308L-L8I when you need Supermicro’s iR firmware RAID mode. Supermicro support states that the L8E cannot be flashed to iR mode: “No, the AOC-S2308L-L8E only supports IT mode. If you need iR mode then please choose our AOC-S2308L-L8i.” That answer appears in FAQ 17202, posted October 11, 2013.
What separates the L8E from the L8I?
The controller family and physical class are similar, but the supported storage mode is different. The AOC-S2308L-L8E is an IT-only adapter. The AOC-S2308L-L8I is the model Supermicro identifies for iR mode.
| Characteristic | AOC-S2308L-L8E | AOC-S2308L-L8I |
|---|---|---|
| Supported mode identified by Supermicro | IT mode only | iR mode |
| Controller | LSI SAS 2308 | LSI SAS 2308 |
| Host interface listing | PCI-E Gen-3, 8Gbps | PCI-E Gen-3, 8Gbps |
| Form factor | Standard low-profile | Standard low-profile |
| Port mapping | 3-2-1-0-7-6-5-4 | 3-2-1-0-7-6-5-4 |
Supermicro lists both as storage add-in cards. The host-bus description and the SAS-port rate describe different interfaces; PCI-E Gen-3 bandwidth should not be treated as the per-port SAS speed.
IT mode versus iR mode
IT mode on the L8E
IT (initiator-target), often called HBA mode, presents attached drives to the operating system or a software-storage layer with the adapter operating as a pass-through host bus adapter. This is the relevant choice when your design requires direct disk visibility rather than controller-managed arrays.
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#1 Best Overall
- Portable Design: This Supermicro IO card has a portable design for easy transport and setup.
- High Storage Capacity: The AOC-S2308L-L8E SAS2HBA 122HD PCI Express Gen3x8 Low Profile Retail card offers 122GB of digital storage capacity.
- Internal Hard Drive Connectivity: This IO card is compatible with internal hard drives for data transfer and storage.
- SATA Connectivity: The AOC-S2308L-L8E SAS2HBA 122HD PCI Express Gen3x8 Low Profile Retail card uses SATA connectivity for fast data transfer.
- Desktop Compatibility: This IO card is designed for use with desktops and other compatible devices.
iR mode on the L8I
iR is Supermicro’s integrated RAID mode for this adapter family. The available catalog excerpt describes the L8I as supporting RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 1E. Those are controller-managed arrays rather than the IT pass-through configuration.
Can an L8E be flashed to iR?
No. Supermicro’s FAQ 17202 explicitly says the AOC-S2308L-L8E supports IT mode only and directs customers who need iR mode to the AOC-S2308L-L8I. Do not buy an L8E expecting a firmware conversion to add iR support.
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Ports and the L8I+ warning
Supermicro gives the L8E and L8I the same port mapping: 3-2-1-0-7-6-5-4. The related AOC-S2308L-L8I+ is different; its listed mapping is 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7. Do not apply the L8I+ mapping to either card in the L8E/L8I comparison.
Port count, link rate and drive-count claims
A third-party-hosted copy of Supermicro literature describes both cards as having eight internal ports rated at 6Gb/s per port. The same excerpt lists IT/HBA mode for the L8E and RAID 0, 1 and 1E for the L8I.
That excerpt also gives drive-count figures of 122 for the L8E and 63 for the L8I. Because the figures may depend on the surrounding server and configuration, they are not universal limits. Verify the applicable original manual and system documentation before using either number for a design.
Which card should you buy?
Choose the L8E when
- You require IT/HBA pass-through operation.
- Your operating system, software RAID layer or storage platform must see individual disks.
- You do not need the L8I’s integrated RAID modes.
Choose the L8I when
- You specifically need Supermicro iR mode.
- Your planned array uses the documented RAID 0, RAID 1 or RAID 1E options.
- You are replacing an iR-capable card and need the corresponding model rather than an IT-only adapter.
Compatibility checks before installation
Neither the cited product listing nor the FAQ establishes compatibility with every server, motherboard or backplane. Check the exact target configuration for:
Rank #4
- LSISAS 2008 SAS controller
- 8-port (internal), 6Gb/s per port
- Supports 122 devices - HBA only
- Double the performance compare with SWR5
- Supports MegaRAID Storage Manager Software
- Available low-profile PCIe slot and chassis clearance.
- Internal SAS cable type, connector orientation and required reach.
- Backplane wiring and whether its expander or direct-attach design matches the adapter.
- Firmware revision, boot requirements and operating-system driver support for the specific server generation.
- The complete model suffix and physical condition when purchasing legacy or used hardware.
Current stock, pricing and seller condition are not established by the cited material and can change independently of the model specifications.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line
The mode requirement decides this comparison: L8E means IT-only; L8I is the iR choice. They share the listed SAS 2308 platform, low-profile form factor and port mapping, but the L8E is not an upgradeable substitute for an L8I when controller-managed iR RAID is required.
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Best Value
- Low-profile, complex root x8 PCIe Gen 4.0 interface
- Supports RAID modes 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD
- Integrated DDR4 cache memory: 8 GB - 2666 MHz
- Power consumption: 14W (AOC-S3908L-H8iR) & 18W (AOC-S3916L-H16iR)
- Supports SAS data transfer rates: 3.0, 6.0, 12.0 Gb/s and SATA: 3.0, 6.0 Gb
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