Attaching HVD devices to LVD adapters

[Rommel T. Misa]

HI GUYS,

Just wondering how can I attach an HVD tape drive to an LVD adapter. Does it need a converter cable or something?

Thanks.

[Shaikh Imran]

Hi,
Not sure but I don't think it is supported.

Regards,

[Uwe Zessin]

NO! NO! NO! NO! Absolutely NOT!

If you are unlucky you will KILL your equipment!

You need a signal converter - a single cable will not do it! I don't know if such a special device exists - I have only seen HVD/SE (High Voltage Differential/Single Ended) converters so far, but I don't deal much with converters anyway.

[Leif Halvarsson_2 · Accepted solution]

Hi,
Here you can find HVD-LVD converters.
http://www.paralan.com/

[Allan_24]

Hi,

Actually, you have two options, either you may change your SCSI LVD adapter to HVD adapter such as adaptec AHA-2944UW that utilize 68 pins HVD

http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/techspecs.jsp?sess=no&language=English+US&prodkey=AHA-2944UW&cat=%2fProduct%2fAHA-2944UW&fromarea=prod

or you can use SCSI module converter M16 standalone or M17 bord version from paralan.

http://www.paralan.com/mh16.html


Cheers,

Allan

[Victor BERRIDGE]

Hi,
As already mentionned you are in great risk of HW damage... A good reason is the difference of voltage at logic level: 5V for HVD and 3V for LVD...

All the best
Victor

[Allan_24]

There should be no problem using the said converter.

The MH16 will not slow the data rate or affects anything in terms of power signaling, is completely transparent to the hardware, the software and the operator
and it does not use a SCSI ID.


Cheers,

Allan

[Victor BERRIDGE]

Of course...
I should have added " without appropriate converter "...
All the best
Victor

[Curtis Ballard]

All the convertor discussions are well covered. One note to keep in mind. No convertors are completely transparent. All of the have some effect on the signal timing which can be seen with an oscilloscope. The Paralan convertor recommended above is my personal favorite and has less impact on signal timing than most others I have tested. Most SCSI devices should work fine with the Paralan unit but I have run into some that push the margins of signal timing and do not work well with any convertors.

In most cases getting an HVD HBA is the best choice since it is usually cheaper than the convertor but for some systems that isn't an option.