Communicator e3000 MPE/iX Release 7.5 (Software Release C.75.00) (30216-90336)

Chapter 5

Technical Articles

SCSI Interface and Device Support for N-Class and A-Class HP e3000

by Jim Hawkins

Commercial Systems Division

Our basic goal is to have a useful set of SCSI peripherals available for use with N-Class and A-Class Systems,

(Interfaces such as HP-IB and HP-FL are not supported). As always, we have a strong desire to protect our

customers’ existing hardware investment. The set of SCSI devices supported for N-Class and A-Class HP

e3000 Systems with the 7.0 Release is based upon those SCSI devices supported in the 6.5 Release. However

there are a large number of devices that are “supported” in MPE/iX Release 6.5 but actually obsolete and/or

nearly obsolete. Therefore we’ve made our strongest efforts to actually test and support those SCSI devices

that are currently (or recently) shipping from HP. Where possible, we’ve also sampled from older families of

devices in order to allow continuing usage of these devices.

N-Class and A-Class Supported Devices Rules of Thumb:

1. HP e3000 Supported SCSI devices shipping as of January 2001 are supported.

Exception: Devices specifically listed as NOT supported.

2. SCSI Devices obsolete or removed from HP Price List before January 2001 are NOT supported.

Exception: Devices specifically listed as supported.

NOTE Devices listed as “unsupported” on N-Class or A-Class systems will still be found in the MPE/iX

7.0 and later copies of IODFAULT.PUB.SYS and will continue to be supported on OTHER HP

e3000 Systems (e.g. 99x, 9x9, and 9x8).

* These Core I/O SCSI Buses are internal to the System. Each supports connection of a single LVD disk.

** This connection exclusively supports 8-bit wide SCSI transfers. Therefore only DDS3 and 7980 Tape

Devices are supported; other devices will not function or will loose data.

*** Dual Port Cards are not supported on A-Class systems.

Table 5-2 Interface Cards:

Product Number Interface Description(s) SCSI Chip Set

N-Class Core I/O VHDCI 68-pin LVD/SE SCSI 2x

Internal LVD/SE SCSI*

SYM53C895

SYM53C876

A-Class Core I/O VHDCI 68-pin LVD/SE SCSI

Internal LVD/SE SCSI*

HD 50-pin SE-SCSI **

Internal LVD/SE SCSI*

SYM53C896

SYM53C876

A5149A VHDCI 68-pin LVD/SE SCSI SYM53C895

A4800A HD 68-pin HVD SCSI SYM53C875

A5150A*** 2x VHDCI 68-pin LVD/SE SCSI SYM53C896

A5159A*** 2x HD 68-pin HVD SCSI SYM53C876