Intel

Intel AXXRSBBU8 RAID Smart Battery Backup

Name: Intel AXXRSBBU8 RAID Smart Battery Backup
Brand: Intel
SKU: AXXRSBBU8

Keep your Intel RAID controller's cache protected during power outages with the AXXRSBBU8 smart battery backup unit.

$151.90*

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 03, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Intel AXXRSBBU8 RAID Smart Battery is a backup battery unit designed specifically for Intel's mainstream RS2 family of hardware RAID controllers, including the RS2BL080 and RS2BL040. Its primary function is to maintain power to the RAID controller's onboard cache memory during a power outage, ensuring that any data sitting in the write-back cache is preserved until power returns and the data can be safely flushed to the physical drives. Without a battery backup, administrators must either disable write-back caching — sacrificing significant I/O performance — or risk data corruption during unexpected power loss.

Installation is straightforward: the battery module attaches directly to the compatible RAID controller card. Once connected, the RAID controller's firmware manages charging and health monitoring, alerting the administrator if the battery's capacity falls below safe thresholds. While the AXXRSBBU8 is a niche component with limited compatibility, it plays a critical role in any server environment where data integrity and RAID performance must coexist. Organizations running these Intel controllers in production should consider it a necessary part of their storage infrastructure.

Key Features

Product Type Storage Controller Battery

Battery Size Proprietary Battery Size

Compatibility Intel RAID Controllers: RS2BL080, RSBL080D, RS2BL040, RS2PI008, RS2PI008DE, RS2MB044, RS2SG244, RS2WG160

Specifications

Product Type

RAID Smart Battery Backup Unit

Model

AXXRSBBU8

Manufacturer

Intel

Compatibility

Intel RAID Controllers RS2BL080, RS2BL040, and other mainstream RS2 family products

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Enables safe write-back caching on compatible Intel RAID controllers for improved I/O performance
Provides critical data protection for cached writes during unexpected power outages
Purpose-built by Intel for reliable compatibility with RS2 family RAID products
Simple installation directly onto the supported RAID controller board

👎 Cons

Compatibility is limited to Intel's RS2 family RAID controllers and will not work with other brands or newer Intel models
Battery capacity degrades over time and will eventually require replacement
Does not protect against extended outages — only provides enough power to preserve the cache temporarily
Adds cost to a RAID setup that some users on non-critical systems may not find justified

Frequently Asked Questions

Which RAID controllers is the AXXRSBBU8 compatible with?

It is designed for Intel's mainstream RS2 family RAID controllers, including the RS2BL080 and RS2BL040 models.

What does the AXXRSBBU8 actually protect?

It provides battery power to the RAID controller's write-back cache during a power outage, preserving any data in the cache until power is restored and the data can be written to disk.

Does this battery need to be recharged or replaced over time?

Yes, like all rechargeable batteries, the AXXRSBBU8 has a limited lifespan and will degrade over charge cycles. Most RAID controllers will alert you when the battery health drops below acceptable levels.

Can I use write-back caching without a battery backup unit?

Technically yes, but doing so risks data loss during a power failure. The battery backup unit is what makes write-back caching safe, and most administrators consider it essential.