Such thing as 4x SATA to SFF-8087 cable?

[Gilbo]

I know the opposite exists: you can buy a cable to take you from SFF-8087 to 4x SATA connectors.

I want to go the other direction. Do such cables exist? Can I just use the above cable backwards (I've never seen one. Are the connections unidirectional? I think SATA is the same at both ends?)



I want to use 4 mobo ports to connect to an SFF-8087-accepting hotswap bay. If the cable exists, anyone foresee any problems?

 

[Howell]

If I understand what you are after it would be analogous to several computers on th same scsi chain talking to one or more HDs. Don't do it.

 

[ddrueding]

It should work just fine. If all you are trying to do it make your 4 onboard SATA channels talk to 4 ports on the hotswap array, just use the cable backwards. I may even have some spares.

 

[Gilbo]

Thanks Dave! Howell, the reason I was asking is that an SFF-8087 cable is just 4 SATA cables bundled together (probably with some shielding), so I figured things should be alright. It only really exists to minimize mess in servers.

Some folks at Ars Technica (where I cross-posted this) directed me towards this. Don't know how its different than using the normal cable in reverse though? It's not really any more expensive than the regular cables so I guess I will not question!

 

[Gilbo]

Actually, now that I think about it, it probably exists more for RAID controller manufucturers to save money on connectors on their boards.

 

[Stereodude]

Based on some conversation I had with a buddy a while back I think the reverse one is different (not sure how / why).