Quarch Automates SAS Cable Pull Testing

Based in Aviemore, Scotland, Quarch Technology Ltd, in data storage testing, announced the addition of a new Mini SAS control module to its Torridon Storage Test System. This device expands Quarch’s Torridon ATE product range to automate insertion, removal and failure of Mini SAS cables.

The Mini SAS Cable Pull Module implements high speed switching of SAS data signals and sequencing logic to emulate the insertion and removal of a Mini SAS cable from a system under test. In addition to automation of cable insertion the module has fault injection capabilities providing a sophisticated method for testing Drive Discovery, Illegal Topologies, intermittent and hard faults, and error injection at all data rates up to 6Gb/s.

Effects of interconnect cable failures in a storage system are difficult to predict. Mini SAS Cable Pull Modules can switch the whole cable or individual connections within the cable. This unique functionality enables engineers to quickly setup both high level and low level tests that would otherwise be painstaking to perform.

"In many cases we found our customers were unable to perform basic testing of interconnect cables. This was due to a lack of any cable-pull automation and also the very high price of SAS Jammers for error injection. Our modules are cheap, simple to use and can perfectly replicate most standard cable faults", said the company.

The Mini SAS cable pull module is available now for evaluation and is compatible with the existing Torridon Test system.