ajc@thendara.pa.dec.com (AJ Casamento) (06/23/91)
In article <1991Jun22.230123.29153@cs.cmu.edu> cbs@cs.cmu.edu (Clauss Strauch) writes: >> Has anybody had good luck with putting HP 600-some MB or HP 1.2 GB >> disks as the boot disk on a DECstation 5000/200 running Ultrix 4.X? We're >> currently using some as second drives(and booting off DEC drives) and things >> seem to work OK. But, I've heard there were some firmware problems that made >> booting off the HP drives difficult. >> -- Clauss Strauch >> Engineering Design Research Center >> Carnegie Mellon University >> cbs@edrc.cmu.edu Clauss, I have seen a couple of postings where people have had problems using the HP2213a (which is an equivalent capacity to our RZ56). A couple of things you might want to be aware of: * The DS5000/xxx series machines implement a full SCSI-2 hardware interface (per the current ANSI draft that's up for signature) using an NCR53C94 controller. * A number of disk drive vendors are just beginning to bring their firmware up to the recommendations of that draft. * The SCSI-1 protocol did not have any recommended response time from a SCSI bus reset command (where the SCSI target/disk is to respond to the initiator/host and let it know it's there). * We have tripped over a number of disk drives that don't respond in seconds (much less the recommended 250ms) and our host adapter will only wait a period of 2x the recommended time limit. All of that aside, it doesn't change the fact that you have some disk drives you've invested in that you want to make use of. So: * Please let us know ( triadd@decwrl.dec.com ) how things go if you decide to try using the HP disks as system disks. * If you do run into a trouble, I'd appreciate you dropping a note to that address and telling us as much as you can (eg. HP firmware rev, DS5000/xxx model and firmware rev, Ultrix version and some indication as to the failure mode). * Do suggest to the HP folks that they give us a call (see my .sig) or send us e-mail as well. If we can help to do a one time solution it will save everybody a lot of needless hassle. I would normally suggest that you e-mail me back directly. But, I'm leaving on a business trip in the morning and will only be able to check on my mail infrequently for the next couple of weeks. So, please use the main contact numbers/addresses. I hope that the information helps. Let us know how things are going. Thanx, AJ ********************************************************************** * AJ Casamento "The question is not whether or * * Digital's TRI/ADD Program not the opinions are mine; but * * 100 Hamilton Ave. UCO1-B rather, which of my personalities * * Palo Alto, CA 94301-1616 do they belong to?" * * 415.853.6744 * * ajc@decwrl.dec.com * ********************************************************************** p.s. And for any option/system vendors out there: Digital's TRI/ADD Program is part of Digital's focus on the open systems market. TRI/ADD is Digital's Third Party Hardware program. What does the TRI/ADD Program support? We work with independent developers who are creating hardware options or systems vendors who are integrating the TURBOchannel technology. We provide technical support and assistance for hardware solutions that are compatible with Digital's open I/O buses on RISC/Ultrix: * SCSI * VME * TURBOchannel * Futurebus+ (in planning) How does membership in the TRI/ADD Program work? You can select full or associate membership in the program by completing and returning the registration form in the kit that is mailed to you. * Full membership - offers you every TRI/ADD Program service and benefit if you are making your option available for commercial resale. * Associate membership - offers you information about TRI/ADD activities and full technical support if you are developing a product for in-house use or are a developer/researcher interested in keeping in touch with us. Computer manufacturers integrating TURBOchannel technology also fit in this category. How much does membership in the TRI/ADD Program cost? Nothing. Membership in the TRI/ADD Program is free and so is the technical support. What does membership in the TRI/ADD Program obligate me to? Nothing. Membership in the TRI/ADD Program holds no constraints. Members are free to use the TRI/ADD Program as much or as little as they wish. Whether a TRI/ADD member develops any hardware for Digital platforms is completely up to them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + Australia France Germany Italy Japan + + ========= ====== ======= ===== ===== + + 0014.800.125.388 05.90.2874 0130.81.1974 1678.19087 0031.12.2363 + + + + U.K. U.S.A./Canada FAX Internet + + ==== ============= === ======== + + 0800.89.2610 1.800.678.OPEN 1.415.853.0155 triadd@decwrl.dec.com + + + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Digital Equipment Corporation + + TRI/ADD Program 100 Hamilton Avenue UCO-1B + + Palo Alto Palo Alto, Ca. 94301-1616 + + 1.800.678.OPEN + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
cbs@cs.cmu.edu (Clauss Strauch) (06/23/91)
Has anybody had good luck with putting HP 600-some MB or HP 1.2 GB disks as the boot disk on a DECstation 5000/200 running Ultrix 4.X? We're currently using some as second drives(and booting off DEC drives) and things seem to work OK. But, I've heard there were some firmware problems that made booting off the HP drives difficult. -- Clauss Strauch Engineering Design Research Center Carnegie Mellon University cbs@edrc.cmu.edu