SEAGATE ST39173WC, SEAGATE ST39175LC

[Paul Senior_1]

What is the impact of mixing SEAGATE ST39175LC
and SEAGATE ST39173WC disks on the same array?

I have an alk460 running 10.2, with 2 jamaica disk arrays running on 2 separate f/w scsi buses (8/0 & 8/4).

The reason why I ask is that I added the ST39175LC disk a few days ago without realising it is a different model.
I have formatted it using pvcreate, but not included it yet (I want to keep it as a spare).
There have been no problems experienced so far.

I have included the ioscan -funC disk as an attatchment

[Mario_66 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

There should be no impact. Both models can be found under the same HP part number A5238-69001.

Regards,
Mario.

[Devender Khatana]

Hi,

Yes, apart from this also find out the firmware levels. It is always adviced to have similar firmware levels.

HTH,
Devender

[Paul Senior_1]

anyone know:-
1) the procedure for checking the firmware on this model?

2) the download site?

[Mario_66]

Hi,

I have never worked with 10.20, but I think that "diskinfo" command should be there.

E.g.

#diskinfo -v /dev/rdsk/cXtYdZ

About FWs, I am not sure there is a public site for download.

Regards,
Mario.

[Paul Senior_1]

yes, you're right.
I'd previously tried diskinfo, but not with the verbose option;
output is as follows:-

alk370 / >diskinfo -v /dev/rdsk/c0t14d0
SCSI describe of /dev/rdsk/c0t14d0:
vendor: SEAGATE
product id: ST39173WC
type: direct access
size: 8891556 Kbytes
bytes per sector: 512
rev level: HP11
blocks per disk: 17783112
ISO version: 0
ECMA version: 0
ANSI version: 2
removable media: no
response format: 2

I assume it is the 'HP rev level' that is the firmware, and not the other versions, in which case I have most of the disks on HP10, but some ranging between 7 & 11.

[e4services]

WC is an 80 pin SCA Wide single-ended interface
LC is an 80 pin SCA LVD interface (low voltage differential)

Seagate says "Seagate LVD drives are backward compatible with single-ended Narrow and Wide SCSI devices, but not High Voltage Differential (HVD or Differential). HVD devices require a special controller and are not compatible with LVD or single-ended devices"

But as far as I can see the WD was the only HVD drives, and the WC is just not differential, single-ending only

[Torsten.]

Don't worry! Both disks are made for use in your disk chassis. A little board inside the black box is used to fit the scsi type.

The ST39173WC (A5238A) and ST39175LC (A5285A) are both seagate drives with a special firmware from HP.
Both are "9GB Differential Fast Wide SCSI disk drive - 7200 RPM, low profile", so there is no problem.

[Paul Senior_1]

I now have peace of mind that these disks are compatible, but it has raised a couple of other questions:-

1) when we say 68 or 80 pin SCSI, I assume this refers to the number of pins on the scsi cable, not the pins on the back of the disk?

2) HVD and LVD - how can you identify from command prompt or inspecting the disk?

[Devender Khatana]

Hi,

Yes 68 pin or 50 Pin refers to the PIN in the cable connector or on the disk where the data cable in plugged.

HTH,
Devender

[Torsten.]

There are only 2 different kinds of disks inside these black boxes. One kind has a purple label with the size written on it. These are fast wide differential scsi (hvd). The others have a yellow label (very rare and old) and this is indicating se-scsi (compatible to lvd).

[Paul Senior_1]

Thanks,

this has answered my main question, but also raised others!