When dealing with enterprise SAS drives like Seagate Cheetah 15k.7 in emergency scenarios (e.g., server motherboard failure), standard USB adapters won't work due to fundamental protocol differences between SAS and SATA. The typical USB-to-SATA adapter chain fails because:

• SAS uses SCSI commands while SATA uses ATA commands
• Different physical connectors (SFF-8482 vs SATA)
• Higher voltage requirements (10.8-13.2V vs 5V for SATA)

Option 1: Dedicated SAS-to-USB Bridge

These are rare but exist. Look for:

StarTech USB3S2SAT3CB - USB 3.0 to SAS/SATA adapter
Sabrent USB-DSC9 - Dual bay SAS/SATA dock

Option 2: SAS HBA + USB Enclosure

For Linux users, this bash script helps detect SAS drives through HBA:

#!/bin/bash
# Scan for SAS devices
for host in /sys/class/scsi_host/host*/scan; do
    echo "- - -" > $host
done
ls -l /dev/disk/by-path | grep -i sas

Option 3: Emergency Server Build

When hardware fails, a quick Linux live CD with SAS support can save the day. Key packages:

sudo apt-get install sg3-utils lsscsi sdparm
sg_scan -i | grep -B2 -i sas

The eBay SAS-to-SATA adapter only handles physical connection, not protocol translation. Even if powered properly (which most USB adapters aren't for SAS), the command set remains incompatible.

If you must use existing adapters, try this risky workaround:

1. Use separate 12V PSU for SAS drive
2. Connect only data lines through USB-SATA-SAS chain
3. Modify Linux udev rules to force detection:

# /etc/udev/rules.d/99-sas.rules
ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="scsi", ATTR{vendor}=="SEAGATE*", RUN+="/bin/sh -c 'echo 1 > /sys/$devpath/timeout'"

For frequent SAS recovery needs, consider:

• Dell PowerVault MD1200 (SAS JBOD via USB3)
• HP StorageWorks D2600 (SAS to USB bridge)
• LSI SAS9207-8e (external HBA with USB converter)

---

When dealing with enterprise hardware like Dell PowerEdge T710 servers equipped with Seagate Cheetah 15k.7 SAS drives, data recovery becomes problematic if the host system fails. Traditional USB-to-SATA adapters won't work because:

• SAS uses different signaling protocol than SATA
• SAS drives require specialized power management
• Most consumer-grade adapters lack SAS controller chips

The chain USB → SATA → SAS fails because:

1. Physical compatibility ≠ electrical compatibility
2. Missing SAS initiator in the signal path
3. Power requirements differ (SAS drives need staggered spin-up)

For reliable SAS-to-USB connectivity, consider these approaches:

Option 1: SAS-to-USB Bridge Board

The Delock 89312 is one of few true SAS-to-USB adapters:

Specifications:
- USB 3.0 to Mini-SAS (SFF-8088)
- Supports SAS 2.0 (6Gbps)
- Compatible with Seagate 15k.7 series
- External power supply included

Option 2: External SAS Enclosure

The StarTech USB3S2SAT3CB provides proper SAS support:

Features:
- USB 3.0 and eSATA interfaces
- Dual-port Mini-SAS (SFF-8088)
- Supports 12Gbps SAS 3.0
- Tool-less drive tray design

Once physically connected, you'll need proper drive access tools:

Linux Raw Access Example

# Identify the SAS device
lsblk | grep -i sd

# Create raw image (assuming /dev/sdc is your SAS drive)
dd if=/dev/sdc of=~/sas_drive.img bs=1M status=progress

# Mount journal filesystem (ext4 example)
mkdir -p /mnt/sas_recovery
mount -o ro,loop,offset=$((2048*512)) ~/sas_drive.img /mnt/sas_recovery

Windows Alternative with PowerShell

# Get disk information
Get-Disk | Where-Object {$_.BusType -eq "SAS"} | Format-Table

# Create VHDX backup (Admin rights required)
New-VHD -Path C:\backup\sas_drive.vhdx -SourceDisk 2 -VHDType Fixed

If commercial adapters are too expensive, try this workaround:

1. Acquire a used SAS HBA (like LSI 9207-8i)
2. Install in any desktop PC with spare PCIe slot
3. Connect via SFF-8087 to SFF-8482 cable
4. Use Linux live USB to access drives

Seagate 15k.7 drives have specific power needs:

Model	Startup Current	Operating Voltage
ST3300657SS	2.8A (12V)	5V/12V ±10%
ST360057SS	3.2A (12V)	5V/12V ±10%

Always verify your power supply can deliver sufficient current during spin-up.