ULTRA2 LVD SCSI HOST ADAPTER

4.6.6THE DISK UTILITY MENU

If you select “Disk Utility” at the Main Menu and press ENTER, the Utility displays a screen much like the Scan Bus screen (see Section 4.6.2) that lists the devices on the SCSI bus. Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select a device; if you highlight a SCSI hard drive and press ENTER, a small window showing the “Format Disk” and “Verify Disk” options is superimposed on the screen.

Format Disk: Use this option to perform a low-level disk format on the target disk drive. (Be aware that this will erase all the data resident on the drive; make sure to back up any data you want to keep!)

A new SCSI disk drive is normally low-level-formatted at the factory before it is shipped in order to simplify installation. Usually you can use new SCSI drives right out of the box, as soon as you partition them (refer to your operating system’s documentation for how to do this), without having to do a low-level format.

Drives that have been previously used with other SCSI adapters, on the other hand, should be low-level-formatted before you use them with your new Ultra2 LVD SCSI Host Adapter; this will prevent any operating or reliability problems that might otherwise arise as a result of incompatibilities between the different Adapters. The low-level format will erase the target drive and reset it to a state which is easily recognized by the Adapter across the SCSI bus. Once this format is complete, you will need to partition the drive.

For more information about hard-disk preparation, see Section 4.4.

Verify Disk: This option will test the integrity of the recording medium of a properly formatted drive and determine whether or not the drive is functioning properly. During the test process, any bad sectors on the disk will be identified and flagged so that the computer doesn’t try to write to or read from them. If a bad sector is found, you will be offered two options for what to do about it: “Reassign” (mask the flagged bad sector and reassign its sector number to a good sector in one of the reserved “replacement” areas on the disk) or “Skip” (do not reassign the number of the flagged sector).

4.6.7EXITING THE UTILITY

To exit the Setup Utility, press <ESC> (esacape) at any time. and select “Yes” when you are asked to confirm that you want to exit. Any changes you might have made with the Setup Utility will be saved in the Ultra2 LVD SCSI Host Adapter’s NVRAM as soon as you make them, but will not take effect until you reboot the computer.

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Black Box SCSI-2 LVD manual Disk Utility Menu
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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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