SCSI interface question

Kwitko

I'm looking to upgrade the drives in our old Dell PowerEdge server here at the office. Right now it uses IBM 9.1GB drives, Ultra2 SCSI SCA-2, 80-pin interface. The drives are in hot-swap trays. Most of the replacement drives I find are Ultra160 or 320. Assuming compatible 80-pin connectors, are the U160 or U320 drives backwards compatible with the slower interface in the server?

Flintstone

In my experience on an U160 controller, a SCSI2 drive is recognized for what it is along with any U160 drives. U320 drives are recognized as U160 compatible. However, since the standard wasn't created when the firmware for your controller was written, it may not have a clue as to what a U160 drive is. i would check with the manufacturer of the controller or Dell themselves to answer this one. Or, of course, someone with specific experience.

Then there's this:

http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=9519708

It would allow you to upgrade capacity if that's what you're trying to do.

Flint

Kwitko

Thanks, Flintstone. I might bid for those drives, but I'm also going to get in touch will Dell and find about what's compatible with the SCSI controller on the server.

primesuspect

I've never encountered a SCSI drive that wasn't backward compatible. Your performance will be hobbled, but they will definitely work and be recognized.

Geeky1

I predict that within the next 24hrs, Prime will encounter a SCSI drive that's not backwards compatible.

Flintstone

MediaMan

Mr. Kwitko


I have 4 x Seagate SCSI drives 9.1 GB. They are definitely cruddy and definitely slow if you want to downgrade as an option. Why be backwards compatible when you can take a full step backwards.

Tex

Kwitko: Any modern u160 or u320 drive will work. Your on Ultra2 whcih was the first LVD (low voltage differntial) standard and the limit is 80mb per channel transfer rate. u160 is 160 per channel and u320 is guess what? Yep 320mb. Any u160 or u320 drive will work. if that dell server has any 64bit slots you really should consider popping foir a newer controller. You can nab 64bit dual channel 21320 Dell/LSI u320 controller for 50 to 65 bucks on ebay. A fast modern u320 drive that actually can transfer in excess of 70mb from a single drive (yours hit maybe 20mb a piece) and has 8mb cache and access time around 4ms can be had on ebay for 70 bucks or so in a 36gb format these days. Less if your lucky.

I have some nice 36gb u160 15k SCA Fujitsu drives up for sale now if your interested. I sorta buy and sell used scsi controllers and drives as a side line. Would be glad to just help you find soime reasonably priced gear on ebay if you want. I also know of a serious u160 raid controller thats for sale right now pretty cheap. MediaMan, flintstone, prime and shorty all have the same model. When prime got his we had like 5 ghuys go in on a "lot" of five controllers and one was never used from one of the guys that bought one. I set it up originally and tested it. Its an Elite 1600. Dell sells them as Dell Perc3/DC's. You can probably buy it for 150 to 200 and Dell sells them for about 800 to 1000 bucks rigged like this one with 128mb cache and battery backup etc..

Tex

Kwitko

Ah, I was awaiting a reply from the SCSI master. I'll check tomorrow and see if the server has a 64-bit slot. Thanks for the info, Tex!

Tex

Sorry I arrived late to the party. Last few days have been nutso. If you ever need a fast answer email me.

Tex