Quick Specs Product: Dell PowerEdge SAS Expander Part Number: 3971G Drive Support: Up to 10 SAS/SATA drives (via backplane) Interface: SAS 6Gb/s Compatibility: Dell PowerEdge R620 10-bay configuration Purpose: Multiplexes SAS signals between RAID controller and drives Part Number: 3971G The Dell PowerEdge SAS Expander (3971G) is designed to enable full drive population in dense 10-bay configurations like the R620. When paired with the appropriate backplane, this expander allows multiple SAS or SATA drives to be connected to a single RAID controller, optimizing connectivity without requiring additional controller ports. By multiplexing SAS signals internally, the 3971G simplifies cable routing and enhances signal integrity while supporting up to 10 drives via a 6Gb/s SAS interface. It is a critical component for maintaining performance, compatibility, and scalability in high-density Dell PowerEdge server environments.