This is part of The Pile, a partial archive of some open source mailing lists and newsgroups.
Subject: Re: OT scsi rant...Re: vmware and performance
From: Rick Forrester <rickf@crow.jpl.nasa.gov>
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 18:10:41 -0700
doom@kzsu.stanford.edu said:
> That said, I've had a really hard time getting Linux (RedHat 5.2)
> working with my Initio (Ini-9100) SCSI card. Had to get the driver
> from Initio, recompiled the kernel to include it, and my SCSI 4mm tape
> drive has been functional, but flaky ever since. I can't get anywhere
> near the rated 2Gb capacity of the tape drive, it craps out around
> 200Mb or so. Which leaves me reluctant to go out and buy other scsi
> devices, because it could turn out that I'm hanging them on a scsi
> chain that's too messed up to use them properly.
> I was actually thinking I might be better off with a bigger name scsi
> card... like Adaptec.
Try checking eBay & other online auctions. Mylex/BusLogic BT-948
scsi controllers have been going for about $50 US (new). Have seen
BT-958 controllers for around $125US. Recognition & use of Mylex
SCSI controllers has been flawless for me, starting from a long way
back in Linux/Red Hat history. Performance generally has been quite
excellent, also.
regards
rickf
===
Subject: scsi controller recommendations please
From: Charles Galpin <cgalpin@lighthouse-software.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 14:41:06 -0400 (EDT)
Hi
I'm looking or votes of confidence for affordable but well supported and
reliable scsi controller to take advantage of two fast scsi 2 9gb seagate
drive with 50 pin connector drives (ST410800N i think).
Also, does $200 sound like a good deal for these two drives (2-3 years
old)
===
Subject: RE: scsi controller recommendations please
From: "Mr. M" <mistrM@gtemail.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 11:50:09 -0700
> Hi
>
> I'm looking or votes of confidence for affordable but well supported and
> reliable scsi controller to take advantage of two fast scsi 2 9gb seagate
> drive with 50 pin connector drives (ST410800N i think).
>
> Also, does $200 sound like a good deal for these two drives (2-3 years
> old)
>
> tia
> charles
I've been using Adaptec cards in various machines for years. They've never
let me down. However, the word "affordable" wouldn't come to mind when I
think of their products. ;)
===
Subject: Re: scsi controller recommendations please
From: Rick Forrester <rickf@crow.jpl.nasa.gov>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 12:12:10 -0700
cgalpin@lighthouse-software.com said:
> I'm looking or votes of confidence for affordable but well supported
> and reliable scsi controller to take advantage of two fast scsi 2 9gb
> seagate drive with 50 pin connector drives (ST410800N i think).
I'd look for a Mylex/Buslogic BT-948 or BT-958. If you shop on eBay
you might be able to pick up a BT-948 (50 pin only) real inexpensive.
> Also, does $200 sound like a good deal for these two drives (2-3 years
> old)
Not too bad. I've bought a couple IBM 9GB fast SCSI drives (09F) for
a bit less at auction.
===
Subject: Re: scsi controller recommendations please
From: "Brad 'GreyBear' Davis" <jbdavis@uswest.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 12:49:33 -0600
The Adaptec 2940 series is recent, pretty reasonably priced (~$150), and is
well supported.
===
Subject: Re: scsi controller recommendations please
From: "Marek T. Majewski" <majewski@mindspring.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 15:27:26 -0400
Hello!
Stick with ADAPTEC - they are - de facto - the industry standard, and if a
new-and-the-greatest OS of the future will have support for only one
manufacturer of SCSI host adapters, you can bet it would be ADAPTEC.
====
Subject: Re: scsi controller recommendations please
From: Rick Forrester <rickf@crow.jpl.nasa.gov>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 13:02:58 -0700
majewski@mindspring.com said:
> Stick with ADAPTEC - they are - de facto - the industry standard, and
> if a new-and-the-greatest OS of the future will have support for only
> one manufacturer of SCSI host adapters, you can bet it would be
> ADAPTEC.
Pardon, but "Balloon-Juice". Adaptec's history WRT Linux has been
spotty at best, though improving of late. Buslogic produces, and
has a long history of producing quality controllers, and willingly
supported development of Linux drivers from an early point.
Not denigrating Adaptec, but for quality & history, I'll give my money
to BusLogic.
===
Subject: RE: scsi controller recommendations please
From: Robert Fargher <fargher@aebc.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 13:05:05 -0700 (PDT)
On 22-Jul-99 Charles Galpin wrote:
> I'm looking or votes of confidence for affordable but well
> supported and reliable scsi controller to take advantage of two
> fast scsi 2 9gb seagate drive with 50 pin connector drives
> (ST410800N i think).
Check out http://www.centrix-intl.com I came across a reference to
them the other day and looked at their web site. They have a Symbios
875 SCSI host adapter for US$65. This is a real Symbios card, from
LSI.
The NCR/Symbios PCI cards are really excellent. They are supported
up the ying-yang in every OS out there, specifically including Linux.
I have 2 cards ( 810 and 875 based) in my system, works great.
The 875 card has 2 internal channels (one 68 pin UltraWide, the
other 50 pin Fast SCSI 2) and one 68 pin UW external channel. Of
those three, you can use any two (but only two)
> Also, does $200 sound like a good deal for these two drives (2-3
> years old)
No, it sounds like a terrible deal. Where can I get them, instead,
to save you from such a terrible deal!!!! :-)
===
Subject: RE: scsi controller recommendations please
From: "Jim Baxter" <jbaxter@morsco.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 15:14:27 -0500
Charles
We are having very good luck with Buslogic 958 controllers. I would say the
drive price is okay if they are in good shape with not too many bad spots
but I hate used equipment in our systems because we user our systems to make
a living. Depends on your risk tolerance.
===
Subject: Re: scsi controller recommendations please
From: Brian Anderson <bunicula@mediaone.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 16:22:01 -0400 (EDT)
Well, i think this has actually shown true. iirc, the first scsi support
on BeOS was adaptec.
the comment, as i read it, was saying that if a new os comes along (i.e.
not linux), and if that new OS were to support but one adapter, the chance
of it being adaptec is very good.
i used a symbios based card, and an adaptec card in the same day. adaptec
won out because of a more feature rich scsi bios/
===
Subject: RE: adding a scsi card
From: Robert Fargher <fargher@aebc.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 15:53:36 -0700 (PDT)
On 17-Jul-99 Gerald Henriksen wrote:
> I have just put an Asus SC875 scsi controller into my computer, and
> both 98 and NT have no problems using it.
>
> How do I get Red Hat 6 to see it?
I have 2 SCSI cards installed, one is an Asus SC875. It works
great with Linux.
All you have to do is compile support for (1)SCSI and (2)
NCR53C8XX or SYM53C8XX SCSI support into the kernel or as modules.
I use the NCR53C8XX driver
If you go the module route, you don't have to re-compile the
kernel. If you wish to boot from a SCSI drive however, you'll have
to compile the driver support into the kernel, not as modules.
===
Subject: Adding a second scsi card
From: "John B. Jacobsen" <johnjac@mail.tele.dk>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 03:39:35 +0100 (CET)
I am successfully using RH 6 with my Adaptec 7890 SCSI
controller. I want to ask you experts what I have to do
if I choose to add a second SCSI controller to my system.
I mean what kind of conf file tweaking should I do ?
The SCSI controller in question is an Adaptec 1505 PnP
used only for my Agfa scanner. I had no luck connecting
the scanner to the 7890 controller.
===
Subject: Re: Adding a second scsi card
From: Yoink! <xombi@accessus.net>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 06:13:41 -0500 (CDT)
On Sun, 18 Jul 1999, John B. Jacobsen wrote:
> I am successfully using RH 6 with my Adaptec 7890 SCSI
> controller. I want to ask you experts what I have to do
> if I choose to add a second SCSI controller to my system.
>
> I mean what kind of conf file tweaking should I do ?
None. Make sure their IRQ's and Ports won't conflict and install normally.
> The SCSI controller in question is an Adaptec 1505 PnP
> used only for my Agfa scanner. I had no luck connecting
> the scanner to the 7890 controller.
Might not work at all. Some scanners have to use those cheap proprietary
versions of SCSI cards.
===
Subject: Adding a second SCSI controller ??
From: "John B. Jacobsen" <johnjac@mail.tele.dk>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 19:27:15 +0100 (CET)
I am successfully using RH 6 with my Adaptec 7890 SCSI
controller. I want to ask you experts what I have to do
if I choose to add a second SCSI controller to my system.
I mean what kind of conf file tweaking should I do ?
The SCSI controller in question is an Adaptec 1505 PnP
used only for my Agfa scanner. I had no luck connecting
the scanner to the 7890 controller.
I dont want to reinstall the RH operating system.
It *must* be possible to modify the system to support
the second SCSI controller although it is a PnP type.
But how ?
===
Subject: Re: Adding a second scsi card
From: "Jose M. Sanchez" <opjose@ex-pressnet.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 20:56:41 -0400
Normally all you have to do is...
"modprobe ahaxxxx"
Assuming:
1) Your card IS supported by Linux
2) You have the module installed (which is normally the case with the stock
kernels).
3) No hardware conflicts
4) PNP initialization is not required (try pnpdump to see if it is, in which
case see the sound card docs).
===
Subject: Re: Adding a second SCSI controller ??
From: "Jose M. Sanchez" <opjose@ex-pressnet.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 21:00:24 -0400
Since the scanner is a "standard" SCSI-2 device, you should have no trouble
with it in the 7890 controller if it is correctly configured...
Things to check:
1) TERMINATION is turned OFF on the bios of the adaptec board, since the
scanner becomes the "end" of the scsi chain.
2) You have a terminator on the Scanner
3) The scanner's ID does not conflict with existing devices
4) The data rate is SLOW enough for the scanner (you might have to step it
down for the scanner alone).
5) All of your cables are set up correctly...
If all of the above is true, perform the scsi device scan in the BIOS, the
scanner should appear.
If it does not, start at step one above again until it does...
===
Subject: Re: How to add scsi/tape RH 6.0
From: johnjac@mail.tele.dk
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 20:22:25 +0200 (CEST)
>
> I got a Dell preinstalled with RH 6.0...
> how can I add an Adaptec 1542 and 2 Exabyte 8200 tape drives?
>
> I tried adding kernel module for the SCSI card and it's listed, but doesn't
> appear to load on reboot, and the system says SCSI HOSTS: 0
>
> Thanks!
>
> Dan
You have to modify /etc/conf.modules. Take a look at mine:
alias scsi_hostadapter aic7xxx
alias eth0 ne2k-pci
alias parport_lowlevel parport_pc
alias sound sb
pre-install sound insmod sound dmabuf=1
options opl3 io=0x388
alias midi awe_wave
post-install awe_wave /bin/sfxload /etc/midi/GU11-ROM.SF2
options sb io=0x220 irq=5 dma=1 dma16=5 mpu_io=0x330
===
Subject: SCSI HD & odd block sizes
From: Jon Nichols <Jon.Nichols@colorado.edu>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 20:20:01 -0600 (MDT)
'Hatters:
I just got handed a good condition HP SCSI-2 HD, 2G :)
Now I see why it was free: non-standard block/sector size of 520. :(
after checking the HOWTOs, and archive, I find almost no info on the
subject except this:
(From the SCSI HOWTO) All direct access SCSI devices with a block size of
256, 512, or 1024 bytes should work. Other block sizes will not work (Note
that this can often be fixed by changing the block and/or sector sizes
using the MODE SELECT SCSI command).
hmm. whence this command? I would sure be willing to try this, but I dont
know where to go...
RTFM's welcome, as long as you say which manual ;)
===
Subject: Re: adaptec 7895 not recognized
From: Jan Carlson <janc@iname.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 15:57:59 -0400
Don Brown wrote:
>
> Have tried all of this and am still have probs...
> More info..
> scsi id=7
> IRQ=10
> IO Port Address = E800h
1. What else is using irq 10 on your machine?
Linux usually can not share IRQs.
2. Right after power on, can you get into the SCSI
bios by typing Control-A or something? Can you change
the IRQ to a different, unused level, or change the
io port, or memory? Doing that may let Linux
find the card successfully.
3. Is there DOS diskette for the adaptec that lets
you change irq, ioport? If the scsi bios doesn't,
there may be a floppy to do it.
4. Did you remove the sound, ethernet, and other cards?
Try removing everything but video and scsi, until you
get the scsi under control.
5. Here is another approach:
You were saying your installation was locking up
while probing 'adaptec 2940'. Good. That means it's
on the right track, because the Adaptec 2940 and
your Adaptec 7895 both are supported by the aic7xxx driver.
Also, others have reported installing the Adaptec 7895
cards without a hitch, and it's also on the Tier 1
supported list. But this card is known to sometimes
lock up during auto probing, according to comments
I read while exploring that card in expert install mode.
Expert mode might get you beyond the impasse.
To get into expert install mode, boot from the
install diskette, and read the very first screen carefully.
It explains what expert mode is, and how to enter expert mode.
In expert mode, it does not try to auto detect cards
as it does in normal mode, rather it lets you
type in the info. But you have to know how to type in
the parameters. Normally you would type in the irq, and
io port parameters like this
irq=10 io=0xe800
but the aic7xxx driver may not want to be told irq and io.
Some drivers don't.
You could try putting in the other 'magic words',
one at a time. The aic7xxx driver comments seem to list these:
extended
no_reset
ultra
irq_trigger=0
irq_trigger=1
verbose
unpause=0x0A
extended
Maybe one of these will work.
===
Subject: RE: SCSI HD & odd block sizes
From: "Juha Saarinen" <juha_saarinen@email.msn.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 08:27:55 +1200
>
> 'Hatters:
>
> I just got handed a good condition HP SCSI-2 HD, 2G :)
> Now I see why it was free: non-standard block/sector size of 520. :(
>
> after checking the HOWTOs, and archive, I find almost no info on the
> subject except this:
>
> (From the SCSI HOWTO) All direct access SCSI devices with a block size of
> 256, 512, or 1024 bytes should work. Other block sizes will not work (Note
> that this can often be fixed by changing the block and/or sector sizes
> using the MODE SELECT SCSI command).
>
> hmm. whence this command? I would sure be willing to try this, but I dont
> know where to go...
>
> RTFM's welcome, as long as you say which manual ;)
Jon,
>From memory, you need to do two things here: first, tell the drive to use a
different block or sector size with the MODE SELECT command and then do a
low-level SCSI format of the drive. Taking a punt here because I don't want
to reboot and check it out... I think my Adaptec 2940UW controller has a
low-level format command through Ctrl-A at BIOS init, but whether it'll let
you change the block size I can't remember.
There's some free drive prepping software at
http://www.elaborate-bytes.com/english/support/idefix/download.htm#HDInstToo
ls that might do the trick for you.
Low-level formatting is one of those dangerous tasks -- interrupt it and
your drive will most likely go to the Great Debugger In The Sky. You've been
warned, so no flames, please.
===
Subject: RE: SCSI HD & odd block sizes
From: "Juha Saarinen" <juha_saarinen@email.msn.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 08:43:32 +1200
>
> 'Hatters:
>
> I just got handed a good condition HP SCSI-2 HD, 2G :)
> Now I see why it was free: non-standard block/sector size of 520. :(
>
> after checking the HOWTOs, and archive, I find almost no info on the
> subject except this:
>
> (From the SCSI HOWTO) All direct access SCSI devices with a block size of
> 256, 512, or 1024 bytes should work. Other block sizes will not work (Note
> that this can often be fixed by changing the block and/or sector sizes
> using the MODE SELECT SCSI command).
>
> hmm. whence this command? I would sure be willing to try this, but I dont
> know where to go...
>
> RTFM's welcome, as long as you say which manual ;)
Sorry, I sent off the previous message somewhat prematurely... the
HDInstTools are for Amigas it seems. Excellent machines those, but perhaps
somewhat rare.
The SCSI-Programming-HOWTO might be useful to you though. It says to check
the sg.h source for comments, and in there I found a URL to
http://www.torque.net/sg which might also come in handy for you.
===
Subject: Re: how to ADD SCSI on RH6.0
From: Brent Sims <brent@rmi.net>
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 10:31:58 -0600 (MDT)
On Thu, 5 Aug 1999, Dan Kirkpatrick so wrote:
> I got a few machines preinstalled with Red Hat 6.0 from Dell and am trying
> to add a scsi card to one but it's not recognizing it.
Hi Dan,
Assuming that the card is not trying to use any resources which
are already in use, and that the card is supported, the kernel should
recognize it without much prompting but the gui tool doesn't always work
- at least it doesn't for me. But, then again, you may very well have a
resource conflict which is preventing the module from being installed.
But... before I started looking for a resource conflict I'd try
to manually insert the module: insmod <module.o>. If the card is not
recognized and assuming that it is supported, odds are that it is trying
to use a irq which is already in use -
(cat /proc/interrupts)
Will show you the current usage. And the card's docs should
contain the rest of the story... But, at this point, I usually try
rebooting the machine with the card installed before I go hacking at
system resources as, well, sometimes even old dogs like me get lucky...
===
Subject: SCSI Adapter Recommendation
From: Patrick May <pmm10@cvip.fresno.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 20:11:45 -0800
I am looking to purchase a SCSI adapter. First I will use it
for scanning (UMAX Astra 610S DB25 interface) and in the
future Zip drive, and who knows what after that (probably
not hard drives...well not very soon so the Ultra and Ultra
Wide are not necessary).
I've seen an Adaptec 2906 (PCI, DB25 external, maybe 50 pin
internal, not sure). Anyone have experience with this? I
don't want to boot into Windows just to scan.
I might go with an Adaptec 2930 (a 50pin to DB25 doesn't
cost too much).
The local CompUSA has a few SIIG models (I believe that is
the brand), any information on those?
What other cards does anyone have experience with and where
can I find them. Ball park prices would be nice (but I am
not looking to spend what it costs to build a ball park.)
===
Subject: RE: SCSI Adapter Recommendation
From: "Juha Saarinen" <juha_saarinen@email.msn.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 10:58:14 +1300
>
> I am looking to purchase a SCSI adapter. First I will use it for
> scanning (UMAX
> Astra 610S DB25 interface) and in the future Zip drive, and who
> knows what after
> that (probably not hard drives...well not very soon so the Ultra
> and Ultra Wide
> are not necessary).
>
> I've seen an Adaptec 2906 (PCI, DB25 external, maybe 50 pin internal, not
> sure). Anyone have experience with this? I don't want to boot
> into Windows just
> to scan.
I'm very happy with my Adaptec 2940UW. Bear in mind that if you put a slow
SCSI device (e.g. a 10MBps SCSI-2 one) on the same adapter that you run your
10,000rpm UW LVD Seagate Cheetahs off, your SCSI setup will drop down to the
speed of the slowest device, AFAIK.
===
Subject: RE: SCSI Adapter Recommendation
From: "Palmer C Byrne, RAA" <pcbyrne@revalue.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 14:27:05 -0800
At 10:58 AM 11/22/99 +1300, you wrote:
> >
> > I am looking to purchase a SCSI adapter. First I will use it for
> > scanning (UMAX
> > Astra 610S DB25 interface) and in the future Zip drive, and who
> > knows what after
> > that (probably not hard drives...well not very soon so the Ultra
> > and Ultra Wide
> > are not necessary).
> >
> > I've seen an Adaptec 2906 (PCI, DB25 external, maybe 50 pin internal, not
> > sure). Anyone have experience with this? I don't want to boot
> > into Windows just
> > to scan.
>
>I'm very happy with my Adaptec 2940UW. Bear in mind that if you put a slow
>SCSI device (e.g. a 10MBps SCSI-2 one) on the same adapter that you run your
>10,000rpm UW LVD Seagate Cheetahs off, your SCSI setup will drop down to the
>speed of the slowest device, AFAIK.
>
>-- Juha
I too, am using a 2940UW and a 2940U in my Linux boxes (Firewall-Router and
Server) but have installed a 2906 in a nt4.0 workstation that is connected
to the Linux network. It uses the same drivers as the 2940U and is
connected to a HP 4P scanner and a Exabyte 2501 QIC Tape drive. It has both
internal and external ( DB25) connectors which may be used simultaneously
or alone. The big difference is that it does not allow boot time
configuration using the Ctrl A setup utility as does the 2940 series. Setup
is done with the SCSI Select utility furnished on a 3.5" disc with the
adaptor. It allows basically the same parameter selections as does the
built in config utility used with the 2940. This utility run under DOS
allows selection of auto term, disconnect, etc.
===