Black Box SCSI-2 LVD manual Installing Drivers for Linux

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ULTRA2 LVD SCSI HOST ADAPTER

5.7 Installing Drivers for Linux

Drivers have been developed for the Ultra2 LVD SCSI Host Adapter for use with most of the major distributions of Linux. However, the procedures for installing these drivers and recompiling the operating system vary from distribution to distribution and change frequently. Because this is the case, the procedures for installing these drivers aren’t included in this manual. Instead, take these steps:

NOTE

This procedure might change as our Web and ftp sites change. If you can’t find the necessary files, please call the Conversions group of Black Box Technical Support for assistance.

1.Go to our Web site at http://www.blackbox.com and select “Software Updates.” This will take you to ftp://ftp.blackbox.com/pub.

2.Select the “Conversions” folder.

3.When the Conversions page is displayed, download the “linux515.zip” file; this archive will contain driver source code along with instructions for installing and compiling it.

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Contents Ultra Wide SCSI-2 LVD Host Adapter FCC/IC Statements ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Trademarks ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter NOM Statement Contents Table of Contents Contents Specifications Temperature Introduction FeaturesULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Adapter’s circuit board Adapter IllustratedScsi ID Numbers Adapter and the Scsi BusBefore You Install Getting Started SCSI-Bus Termination SCSI-Bus LengthExamples of SCSI-bus termination ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Hardwiring termination Complete Package Attaching Legacy EquipmentInstalling the Adapter Itself Installation and ConfigurationInserting the Adapter in a PCI slot LED connection Adapter’s included internal ribbon cable Attaching Other Scsi Devices to the Adapter’s BusPlugging a narrow internal cable into the Adapter Connecting External Scsi Devices An external Scsi daisychain Initial StartupWHY YOU Need to do this Multiple Initiators and Clustering Simple multiple-initiator system Setup UtilitySmartSCSI Device Setup menu screen Scan BUS Screen Installation and Configuration Adapter Setup Menu Bios Setup Menu Disk Utility Menu Installing Drivers for MS-DOS Driver InstallationInstalling the Aspi Driver in AN Existing MS-DOS System Aspi CD-ROM Driver and ITS COMMAND-LINE Options CONFIG.SYS Aspi REMOVABLE-DISK Driver and ITS Command Line Options ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Aspi Partition & Format Utility Installing Drivers for Windows NEW Windows 95/95A Installation ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Updating the Windows 95 Driver in Widows 95/95A NEW Windows 95B OSR2 Installation Driver Installation AULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adaptername NEW Windows 98 Installation ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Driver Installation Updating the Windows 98 Driver Installing Drivers for Windows NT Regular NEW Windows NT Installation NEW Windows NT Installation from a Bootable CD Diskless NEW Windows NT Installation Driver Installation ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter \NETWARE\HAM\INIA100.DDI Installing Drivers for Novell NetWarePCI.XXXX.XXXX.XXXX.XXXX.XX Adding the Netware Driver to AN Existing Netware System ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter COMMAND-LINE Options for the Device Drivers Specifies maximum decimal number of tag commands per target Installing Drivers for IBM OS/2 BASEDEV=INIA100.ADD SET COPYFROMFLOPPY=1 Adding the OS/2 Driver to AN Existing OS/2 System COMMAND-LINE Options for the Device Driver Assigns adapter number based on Bios address Installing Drivers for Linux Installing Drivers for SCO Unix Cd /etc/conf/cf.d Enter Linkunix Enter Attach Number Lun Bus Installing Drivers for SCO UnixWare Enter Etc/conf/bin/idbuild -Ma100 Enter Cd / Enter Removing the Driver from a Unixware System Installation-Time Problems TroubleshootingTroubleshooting ULTRA2 LVD Scsi Host Adapter Shipping and Packaging Calling Black BoxPage Page Page Copyright 1999. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved

SCSI-2 LVD specifications

The Black Box SCSI-2 LVD (Low Voltage Differential) represents a significant advancement in data storage and connectivity technology, particularly in environments requiring high performance and reliability. As a variant of the SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) standard, it is optimized for faster data communication, essential for modern computing needs.

One of the main features of SCSI-2 LVD is its capability to handle increased data transfer speeds compared to its predecessors. It supports a maximum data transfer rate of up to 80 MB/s, which is double that of the original SCSI-2 single-ended signaling. This increase in speed is largely due to the differential signaling that LVD employs, allowing for reduced electromagnetic interference and extended cable lengths while maintaining signal integrity. The technology effectively converts the SCSI bus into a more robust system that can accommodate various devices without compromising performance.

The SCSI-2 LVD standard is backward compatible, meaning that it can interface with older SCSI devices, albeit at reduced speeds. This compatibility is significant for users looking to upgrade their systems without discarding existing hardware. This makes SCSI-2 LVD an attractive choice for enterprise environments where legacy systems are common.

Another key characteristic is the flexible cabling options provided by SCSI-2 LVD. It can support cable lengths of up to 12 meters, which is beneficial for large data center configurations where space between devices can be substantial. This extended range does not typically come at the expense of performance, ensuring that data integrity remains high, even over longer distances.

In terms of technology, LVD employs lower voltage levels, which not only contributes to greater power efficiency but also minimizes heat generation in devices. This is particularly crucial in data centers where temperature management can impact hardware longevity and reliability. The combination of lower voltage use and differential signaling makes SCSI-2 LVD well-suited for high-density environments.

Error correction and handshaking features are also integral to SCSI-2 LVD, enhancing its robustness against data loss during transmission. These characteristics make it a reliable choice for applications requiring consistent and high-speed data access, such as server arrays and high-performance computing tasks.

Overall, Black Box SCSI-2 LVD stands out due to its impressive speed, compatibility, and extensive cabling options, positioning it as a reliable solution for demanding data environments. It effectively bridges the gap between legacy systems and modern technology, ensuring that users can optimize their data handling capabilities without significant disruption.