topic DEC Alphaserver Disks in Alpha Servers

DEC Alphaserver Disks

jamesD — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:11:26 GMT

Hi,

In my search for replacement disks, I noticed that the RZ2DD-LS 9 GB disk is just a Seagate ST39102LC. I have a few of these Seagate disks which are Sun branded. My question is this: Is there some difference between the Sun and DEC branded ST39102LC that would make the Sun disk an inappropriate replacement for the DEC disk?

The follow-up question is: Has DEC actually done anything to the ST39102LC to make it a RZ2DD-LS, or have they just given it a DEC part number for purposes of tracking FRUs?

Thanks,

James

Re: DEC Alphaserver Disks

Jozef_Novak — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:28:59 GMT

Hello James,

IMHO at least the firmware will be different. Server vendors use to flash their own firmware into server disks, which are otherwise common part-numbered. It may be possible to reflash the disk with some diagnostic utility, however, I am not sure which one is available for Tru64 UNIX or OpenVMS. HPUX, for example, uses stm(1m).

J.

Re: DEC Alphaserver Disks

jamesD — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:06:34 GMT

Thanks for the reply Jozef.

Is it possible to get new disks for these DEC machines, or am I stuck trying my luck with used part dealers?

James

Re: DEC Alphaserver Disks

Rob Leadbeater — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:27:40 GMT

Hi James,

You are probably stuck with the second user market. Seagate etc. stopped making 9GB drives a long time ago.

With regards to you original question you shouldn't have any problems running the Seagate branded drive. I've got lots of Alphas running with a variety of different badged drives, with no problems.

Cheers,

Rob