The mini-SAS product family are compact and high-speed solutions for moving data to and from storage devices under the SAS (serial attached small computer system interface) protocol. The mini-SAS supports speed of 6 Gbps to 12 Gbps channel bandwidths. The mini-SAS can be implemented as (i) internal mini-SAS cable assemblies, which supports SAS generation I (3.0 Gbps) and II (6.0 Gbps) bandwidths, as well as serial advanced technology attachment generation I (1.5 Gbps) and II (3.0 Gbps) bandwidths; (ii) external mini-SAS cable assemblies, which features mini-SAS with heavy-duty metal backshells, flexible, latch-pull mechanism in high density applications; and (iii) internal high density mini-SAS (mini-SAS HD), a newer generation which provides greater port density than the existing mini-SAS 2.0