BA 356 - storage enclosure

[Wanted_1]

Hi!
Can anyone tell me if it's possible install a BA 356 on a intel platform using a IBM 6M controller (SCSI Controller).
I've tried to do it, but the HBA fails to recognize the device.
It's possible or can I install it using only KZPAC or Syslogoc controls on Alpha Systems Platforms?

[Roger Faucher · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Whether or not I figure out the answer to your question, I thought the User Guide might be useful to you:

http://sup.xenya.si/sup/info/digital/MDS/jun99/Cd3/STORAGE/BU356UGA.PDF

Also possibly helpful:

http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c00331069〈=en&cc=us&taskId=101&prodSeriesId=3328445&prodTypeId=329290

It appears that the BA365 storage was sold as storage portion of the RA3000 storage solution. Apparently, Windows NT and 2000 drivers were available for the RA3000. See:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10786_div/10786_div.PDF

For NT/2000 x86:
RA3000 Solutions Software Kits QB-5TWAE-SA
Recommended adapters SWXA3-BD

Searching www.hp.com for RA3000, BA365 or any of the other terms in the references above may get you closer to your solution. The fact that the IBM HA (Host Adapter) doesn't 'see' the storage may mean one is single-ended and the other is differential or the terminator you're using doesn't match the storage or HA technology or the HA and the storage may be using the same SCSI ID (address).

The fact that the HP/Compaq docs recommend the SWXA3-BD adapter and that adapter is elsewhere described as "pci to ultra wide differential single channel adapter" whereas the IBM ServeRAID-6M Controller is an Ultra320 device may be your problem. I don't believe it is a differential HA either. Look here for more details about the 6M:

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0784.html#6M

Make a great day!

Roger

[Roger Faucher]

BTW, it is possible to damage devices by inter-mixing single-ended and differential products.

[Wanted_1]

Roger, thank you for your reply.
I'm looking for another SCSI Adapter to use this storage in Windows Server.
One more, I've tried connect this storage with Alpha Server ES/40 and SCSI SymbiosLogic or SCSI QLogic adapters and I can't configure arrays (0,5, etc)... Do you know why this problem occours? I can't find a software that provider support to configure a array with this adapaters. Perhaps these adapters don't have these features, I'm correct?

[Roger Faucher]

The key thing you must have is "ultra wide differential". Any ultra wide differential SCSI Host Adapter should be able to 'see' the BA356. The server interface just needs to match the available slot (I personally would lean towards PCIe x8 or PCI-X 64-bit 100 MHz or greater, if possible. As a practical matter, it would probably work with a standard PCI HA, again assuming ultra wide differential!

I hope I stressed sufficiently the importance of ultra wide differential.

;-)

Make a great day!

Roger

[Wanted_1]

Thank you Roger! Again...
Your explanation were very important for me.
Best regards!

[Wanted_1]

Roger has indicated me the way