Upgrading an F1 to Ultra-SCSI

[Jon Etkins]

I have a couple of Storage System F1's, and I would like to run my SCSI busses faster than the Fast-SCSI that the F1's support. Since this is a home setup with a limited budget, I was wondering if I could simply replace the controller card in the F1 with one from a U2 or UE.

I have found a UE controller card (Compaq part# 348735-001), which the seller claims will upgrade a U1 to a UE, but can anyone tell me whether this card is compatible with the F1?

[Leslie Martin · Accepted solution]

What you need if you can find them are:
Dual Bus Conversion kit - 304149-B21
Single Bus Conversion Kit - 304148-B21

These will upgrade your F (Fast Wide) to
Ultra Wide single channel (U) or Dual Channel (UE)

[Jon Etkins]

Brilliant. Thanks!

[Jon Etkins]

Searching on those part numbers took me to http://h18002.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10224_div/10224_div.HTML where the descriptions for those parts seem to suggest that they are for an existing /U system. It also lists 348718-B21 which it calls an "F1 or U1 to UE upgrade kit." Can anyone telll me the difference, and what do these kist contain (if anything) besides the controller board?

[Chris Stoneley]

Jon,

Did you ever get a reply? I'm looking at u1 to ue conversion 348718-B21 on eBay with a mind to upping my drive count on my U1 from 7 to 12 - curious if you know if this kit includes new backplane / rack & frame & documentation?

TIA

Chris

[Jon Etkins]

No, I did not.

[Chris Stoneley]

I got a decent reply here:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=809769

I'm going to risk buying the kit from eBay. I'll post the outcome.

Thanks,

Chris

[Chris Stoneley]

I found one of these kits for around $60 delivered, and the contents were exactly as stated in the previous post. The only addition required was a T-15 torx driver.

The kit was great with very clear instructions - was able to easily convert my U1 into a UE. I now have 12 1" drives and Ulra Ultra Wide spec communications to all drives.

Thanks.