SUMMARY: SCSI Controller for ES40

Sorry for the long delay.  The need for a new HBA was driven by
intermittent errors and it wasn't until 3 weeks had passed that I felt
that the solution below had some success.

I didn't get a new HBA - I did get some outstanding advice about my
existing HBA, Adaptec 39160.  A sales/tech guy at Island Computers was
quoting me some prices and when I described the problem he had some
insight.

Apparently the internal channels of the HBA need to be terminated on the
card (jumper) even is you don't have anything attached to them.  All I
had attached to the HBA was two external tape drives, one on each of the
two external channels.

Also, there is a specific HBA BIOS version which is recommended for the
39160 when used with Alpha systems.  Mine didn't have that BIOS version
and they seem to work OK, for now.  For future consideration, updating
the BIOS on these HBA's is said to be "risky operation".  Approximately
50% of the time, the update fails and the HBA is toast.  I haven't tried
and don't need to yet.


Ed Notari


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Notari, Ed
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 9:49 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: SCSI Controller for ES40


I am looking to put a new SCSI controller in my ES40.  Also changing
cables and terminators to external tape drives.

Any ideas on what controllers to get?  I only need two channels.  Vendor
recommendations?

I'm running Tru64 v5.1A.


Ed Notari
Transmissible Diseases Department
Jerome H. Holland Laboratory
American Red Cross