If you don't currently have a backplane installed, you should still be able to use SAS drives, but you may need new cables.  If your existing cable has individual/separate data/power connectors, then you will need a new cable.  What you will need is a cable with a single connector on the end for both power and data.  Like this: www.txcesssurplus.com/.../Detail All SAS/SATA drives are hot-swappable, and they can be installed in "internal" drive bays, but for externally-accessible hot-swappable drives, you would need to install a backplane ... and your chassis would also need to support the upgrade.
hi All,  We have got Dell PowerEdge T 300 server. This server came up with 500 GB SATA drive. I wanted to configure the server with RAID 1+0 . So I ordered following 4x 300GB 3.5 Swappable HDD's PERC6 I SAS card controller card  But when I open server, there is no area to instal SAS Hot Swappable HDD.  I only see internal drive bays for SATA drives.  When I asked Dell support they said I will have to get back plane with SAS cables?  Should I able   setup RAID with SAS drive with when I get back plane with SAS cables Appreciate any of your feedback related to this.  Thanks Praz    
set up RAID 10 with 4 SAS drive Dell T300