What is the maximum number of SAS shelves supported for FlashArray//XL?

TheFlashArray//XLsupports0 (zero)SAS expansion shelves for permanent capacity.

Architecture:The FlashArray//XL is architected exclusively forNVMestorage media. Its backend connectivity utilizes 100GbE RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) to connect toDirectFlash Shelves (DFS). It does not possess the legacy SAS controllers or ports required to drive SAS expansion shelves.

Migration Exception:While a "SAS Swing Shelf" (containing legacy SSDs from an older array) might be temporarily attached during a specific Data-in-Place upgrade migration scenario, this is a transient state. In terms ofsupportedoperational configuration for storage capacity, the limit is zero. The platform relies entirely on DirectFlash Modules in the chassis and external DirectFlash Shelves.

Contrast:Older generations (FlashArray//M, FlashArray//X R1/R2) supported SAS shelves, but the //XL platform eliminates this protocol entirely in favor of end-to-end NVMe.