ULTRA2 LVD SCSI HOST ADAPTER

4.6.2THE SCAN BUS SCREEN

If you select “Scan Bus” at the Main Menu and press ENTER, the Utility scans the SCSI bus and displays a screen that lists, in the order of their SCSI IDs, the devices it has found, as well as the IDs without any devices assigned to them. While you’re at this screen, you can press <ENTER> to “Execute” a new scan (to rescan the bus). Keep in mind that (a) the best ID for a bootable hard disk is ID 0, and

(b)otherwise, you should only change a device’s ID if it conflicts with the ID of another device on the same bus (refer to the device’s documentation for how to do this).

4.6.3THE DEVICE SETUP MENU

If you select “Device Setup” at the Main Menu and press ENTER, the Utility displays a screen listing all of the bus’s possible SCSI IDs and a set of attributes that you can set for those IDs. Use the right-, left-, up-, and down-arrow keys to select any attribute, the plus and minus keys to change the setting of the selected attribute, or <F8> to reload the factory defaults for all attributes.

Asynchronous Transfer: Set this value to “Yes” or “No” (the factory-default setting is “No”) to respectively enable or disable asynchronous data transfer for the corresponding ID. The maximum data rate at which the Ultra2 LVD SCSI Host Adapter will transfer data asynchronously is 10 MB/second.

Maximum Synchronous Transfer Rate: Set this value to the maximum sync data rate at which the correpsonding devices can operate. (You can press “+” and “–” to cycle through the possible settings.) Your Adapter will run at 80 MB/second; this is the factory-default setting for all SCSI IDs. Whenever you connect a new SCSI device to the Adapter’s bus, refer to the device’s manual to determine its actual maximum data rate. If you still can’t figure it out, set this value to 10.0

(10 MB/second) until you can contact the device’s manufacturer.

DOS Space > 1 GB: This value has to do with how information stored on SCSI hard drives is accessed. (It has no meaning for non-hard-drive devices.) Under the “No” setting, the Adapter assumes that the corresponding drive has a maximum of 64 read/write heads and 32 sectors, a “head-mapping” configuration that conforms to the normal MS-DOS limit of 1024 cylinders (one gigabyte of capacity). Under the factory-default “Yes” setting, the Adapter assumes that the drive has a maximum of 255 heads and 63 sectors, an 8032-cylinder head-mapping configuration that corresponds to almost 8 GB of DOS-accessible capacity.

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Black Box SCSI-2 LVD manual Scan BUS Screen
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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.
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