User guide

SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4844]
Will LVD drives work with my ATTO SCSI HBA?
Yes, Low Voltage Differential drives are wide drives that are compatible with single ended Ultra HBAs, like the EPCI-
DC. However, you will have to keep total cable length on each bus to less than three meters, since the EPCI-DC is a
single ended HBA.
SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4845]
Can I format my drives as a RAID to increase performance?
No. Software RAIDs (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) are not well suited for digital audio, but can be used
for video only drives. A striped set of drives can be used for playing back high-resolution video as with AV Option XL.
SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4846]
How do I configure a striped set of drives for AV OptionXL
When using a compression ratio of 2:1 or 1:1 a second SCSI HBA (ATTO UL2D or UL3D) is required. 2:1
compression requires two drives connected across both channels of the Video HBA; 1:1 requires four drives across
both channels. The drives can be striped using either ATTO ExpressRAID (version 2.3.2 or higher) or Avid Drive
Utility 2.1 or higher. Simply select the drives and format them as a striped set.
Note: 3:1 compression with AV OptionXL does not require a second SCSI HBA or striped drives.
SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4849]
What is a SCSI ID?
A SCSI ID is a unique identification/addressing for each device on the SCSI bus. Two devices on the same SCSI bus
cannot share a SCSI ID number.
Note: ID 7 is almost always reserved for the initiator - either the SCSI HBA, or SCSI chipset on the computer’s
motherboard. Do not use this ID for any other devices on the chain.
SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4847]
Can I put a wide to narrow adapter on my wide drive and install it in my old narrow enclosure?
Not if the drive will be connected to an ATTO EPCI-DC or other wide SCSI HBA. SCSI spec does not support Wide-
Narrow-Wide configurations.
SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4848]
How can I mix different SCSI types on the same SCSI HBA?
Since Ultra3, Ultra2 and Ultra SCSI are all downward compatible, simply attach the devices to the adapter and use
the type of terminator that matches your slowest device. When mixing wide and narrow devices always put the
narrow devices after the wide devices on a wide SCSI bus. Note: Never use a wide device after a narrow device on
a wide SCSI bus.
SCSI Basics Index | All FAQ Index
[4850]
Can I still use FWB 3.02 to initialize my drives in OS 9.
No, FWB 3.02 is not recommended on OS 9 or higher. ATTO ExpressPro-Tools 2.3.2 should be used instead. If you
need to use drives that are formatted with FWB, the inhibit driver loading option should be used in ExpressPro-
Tools. Follow the procedure listed at http://www.digidesign.com/compato/os9/stg/fwb.html
Note: This option is only available when using an ATTO SCSI HBA.
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