Seagate ST3500841NS, ST3500641NS 3.2Configuring the drive, 3.3Serial ATA cables and connectors

3.2Configuring the drive

Each drive on the Serial ATA interface connects in a point-to-point configuration with the Serial ATA host adapter. There is no master/slave relationship because each drive is considered a master in a point-to-point relationships. If two drives are attached on one Serial ATA host adapter, the host operating system views the two devices as if they were both “masters” on two separate ports. This means both drives behave as if they are Device 0 (master) devices.

Serial ATA drives are designed for easy installation. It is usually not necessary to set any jumpers on the drive for proper operation; however, if you connect the drive and receive a “drive not detected” error, your SATA- equipped motherboard or host adapter may use a chipset that does not support SATA speed autonegotiation. If you have a motherboard or host adapter that does not support autonegotiation:

•Install a jumper as shown in Figure 2 below to limit the data transfer rate to 1.5 Gbits per second (and leave the drive connected to the SATA-equipped motherboard or host adapter that doesn’t support autonegotiation) or

•Install a SATA host adapter that supports autonegotiation, leave the drive jumper block set to “Normal operation” (see Figure 2 below), and connect the drive to that adapter. This option has the benefit of not limiting the drive to a 1.5 Gbits/sec transfer rate.

Normal operation

Limit data transfer rate to 1.5 Gbits per second

Jumper block

SATA power connector

SATA interface connector

Figure 2. Jumper options

3.3Serial ATA cables and connectors

The Serial ATA interface cable consists of four conductors in two differential pairs, plus three ground connec- tions. The cable size may be 30 to 26 AWG with a maximum length of one meter (39.37 inches). See Table 4 for connector pin definitions. Either end of the SATA signal cable can be attached to the drive or host.

For direct backplane connection, the drive connectors are inserted directly into the host receptacle. The drive and the host receptacle incorporate features that enable the direct connection to be hot pluggable and blind mateable.

For installations which require cables, you can connect the drive as illustrated in Figure 3.

Signal connector

Power connector

Signal cable

Power cable

Figure 3. Attaching SATA cabling

Each cable is keyed to ensure correct orientation. NL35 Series 7200.2 Serial ATA drives support latching SATA connectors.

16 NL35 Series 7200.2 SATA Product Manual, Rev. C