CHAPTER 4: Installation and Configuration

When you see this prompt, you can either:

Wait five seconds or press [ESC] to continue with the boot process;

Press [CTRL] [B] to boot from a SCSI CD-ROM attached to the Adapter (if this capability has been firmware-enabled—see Section 4.6.5); or

Press [CTRL] [I] to start the Utility.

The Utility’s Main Menu (shown, with Device Setup selected, in Figure 4-7 below) appears directly as soon as you run the Utility. When it does, you will have five main options to choose from:

Scan Bus Device Setup Adapter Setup BIOS Setup Disk

Utility

Selecting any of these options (using the right- and left-arrow keys) will cause the Utility to display a corresponding submenu; see Sections 4.6.2 through 4.6.6 respectively. You can also exit the utility at any time by pressing <ESC> (Escape); see Section 4.6.7.

 

Initio INI-A100U2W SmartSCSI(TM) Setup Utility

 

 

(C)1998

 

PCI Bus: ØØ

Device:Ø9H

Port:61ØØH

IRQ:11

 

 

 

 

 

Scan Bus

Device Setup

 

Adapter Setup

Bios Setup

 

Disk Utility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCSI Device ID

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

 

 

 

Asynchronous Transfer

 

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

 

 

Max. Synchronous Transfer

 

 

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

 

 

 

8Ø.Ø

 

 

 

DOS Space > 1GB

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Spin Up Disk Drive

 

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

 

 

Enable Disconnect

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Enable Wide Negotiation

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

 

 

SCSI Device ID

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

 

 

 

Asynchronous Transfer

 

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

 

 

Max. Synchronous Transfer

 

 

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

8Ø.Ø

 

 

 

8Ø.Ø

 

 

 

DOS Space > 1GB

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Spin Up Disk Drive

 

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

 

 

Enable Disconnect

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Enable Wide Negotiation

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESC:Exit

↓→↑←:Select

+:Change Value

F8:Load Defaults

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4-7. The SmartSCSI Device Setup menu screen.

31

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Image 32
Black Box SCSI-2 LVD manual SmartSCSI Device Setup menu screen

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.