[comp.unix.xenix] scsi controllers for xenix?

markj@infmx.UUCP (Mark Jeske) (08/03/90)

I'm upgrading my system with a scsi drive, and am wondering if
there are any scsi controllers that will work with the standard
2.3.2AT release?

Also, what scsi controllers does sco UNIX support?

Thanks,
Mark Jeske
markj@infmx.com

author@uncecs.edu (Ralph Roberts) (08/04/90)

In article <4945@infmx.UUCP> markj@infmx.UUCP (Mark Jeske) writes:
>I'm upgrading my system with a scsi drive, and am wondering if
>there are any scsi controllers that will work with the standard
>2.3.2AT release?
>
>Also, what scsi controllers does sco UNIX support?
>
>Thanks,
>Mark Jeske
>markj@infmx.com


You'll need 2.3.2GT for SCSI. I tried a couple of controllers for
my 700 meg CDC drive, but the only one that would work was the
Adaptec 1542 (and it works great!). But the GT version is the only
Xenix that will handle SCSI. I also have an Archive 150 meg SCSI
tape drive working off the same controller. Hope this helped.

-- 
Ralph Roberts  author@ecsvax.uncecs.edu |     Compute!'s Computer Viruses
               P.O. Box 8549            |     Compute!'s Computer Security
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chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM (Chip Rosenthal) (08/04/90)

In article <4945@infmx.UUCP> markj@infmx.UUCP (Mark Jeske) writes:
>I'm upgrading my system with a scsi drive, and am wondering if
>there are any scsi controllers that will work with the standard
>2.3.2AT release?

Since you mentioned the ``AT'' release explicitly, I take it you understand
there isn't native SCSI support with this version.  You need the ``GT''
version for that.

Two possibilities.  First, somebody over in comp.unix.i386 just posted a
message mentioning a board they heard of which drives SCSI disks but looks
like a standard disk adapter.  You might pop over there and try to find it.
However, this seems kind of silly to me.  SCSI is an interface technique.
At its core, a SCSI disk is just a winchester disk like any other, often
using plain ol' RLL encoding.  I don't see any sense in trying to use a
SCSI interface if you can't get any of the benefits, e.g. to be able to
run SCSI tapes, do overlapping seeks, etc.

The second possibility is that some of the SCSI manufacturers might be
able to provide drivers.  Taking a quick look through the SCO 3rd Party
Products Directory, I see Driverex (206-333-4590) and Future Domain
(714-259-0400) listed.  I wouldn't rule out the usuals, Adaptec and
Western Digital.  Maybe some of their technical folks can provide a
pointer.

>Also, what scsi controllers does sco UNIX support?

The January 90 configuration guide mentions only the Adaptec 154X series.
Very possibly more have been added since then.  I'm running the 1542 here,
and have been pretty happy with it.

-- 
Chip Rosenthal                            |  You aren't some icon carved out
chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM                  |  of soap, sent down here to clean
Unicom Systems Development, 512-482-8260  |  up my reputation.  -John Hiatt

campbell@Thalatta.COM (Bill Campbell) (08/04/90)

In article <4945@infmx.UUCP> markj@infmx.UUCP (Mark Jeske) writes:
>I'm upgrading my system with a scsi drive, and am wondering if
>there are any scsi controllers that will work with the standard
>2.3.2AT release?
>
>Also, what scsi controllers does sco UNIX support?
>
>Thanks,
>Mark Jeske
>markj@infmx.com

The Adaptec 1540 and 1542 controllers are supported by SCO.  I
have been using them for two years with no problems.

I have also used a DTC controller, but this requires not only
that you have the GT version of Xenix, but that you either have a
non-scsi hard disk on the system, or another system with Xenix
running that you can use to make a new N1 disk with the DTC
drivers, neither is a particularly useful option for the average
user :-(

On another note, I have heard that Adaptec has a new set of
drivers for Xenix that are much faster and support additional
devices.  Can anyone in SCO Support say when these will be
released?

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randy@m2xenix.psg.com (Randy Bush) (08/09/90)

In <1458@chinacat.Unicom.COM> chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM (Chip Rosenthal) writes:

> The second possibility is that some of the SCSI manufacturers might be
> able to provide drivers.  Taking a quick look through the SCO 3rd Party
> Products Directory, I see Driverex (206-333-4590) and Future Domain
> (714-259-0400) listed.

Beware that the Future Domain drivers do not support tape.  This has been a
matter of some heartbreak to me, as I now have to buy a GT release as well as
dump the FD for an Adaptec.  Blechh!
-- 
..!{uunet,qiclab,intelhf}!m2xenix!randy   randy@psg.com   randy@m2xenix.uucp