ULTRA2 LVD SCSI HOST ADAPTER

5.1.1INSTALLING THE ASPI DRIVER IN AN EXISTING MS-DOS SYSTEM

The ASPI driver is on Driver Disk 1. It is important that the SCSI hardware and the operating system are installed correctly before proceeding further. If you need help installing the MS-DOS operating system, please refer to the MS-DOS manual before proceeding.

1.Turn on the host system and boot into MS-DOS.

2.Insert Driver Disk 1 in your floppy drive.

3.At the MS-DOS prompt, change to your active floppy drive: Assuming the

floppy drive is drive A:, type “A: <ENTER>”.

4.Type “DOSSETUP <ENTER>”.

5.A series of screens will guide you through the installation of the ASPI device drivers. The first screen sets the installation drive and directory that the ASPI driver will be installed on. Follow the on-screen directions and/or options to continue the installation.

6.To activate the device driver, reboot the system by selecting the “Reboot Now” option at the end of the installation process.

5.1.2COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS FOR THE ASPI DEVICE DRIVER

The Ultra2 LVD SCSI Host Adapter’s ASPI device driver supports command-line switches to optimize driver operation. Device drivers normally require no additonal information to work effectively, but for your system or applications you might need to turn certain features ON or OFF. In the CONFIG.SYS file, use the following standard command format to modify the device driver’s switches:

DEVICE = C:\INIASPI\ASPIA100.SYS [driver-config option]

The “driver-config options” are:

/D

Verbose Mode provides detailed information about the driver on the

 

system command line when the driver is initialized.

/L

The driver scans eight LUNs (logical unit numbers) for each SCSI

 

target.

/Bb,dd

Scan device only on PCI BUS #b, PCI DEVICE #dd

 

The range for “b” is from 0 to 7 decimal.

 

The range for “dd” is from 0 to 20 decimal.

/Bb

Scan all the devices on PCI BUS #b

 

The range for “b” is from 0 to 7 decimal.

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Black Box SCSI-2 LVD manual Installing the Aspi Driver in AN Existing MS-DOS System

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.