Installing the Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 • Setting Up SCSI Devices • Connecting SCSI Devices • Configuring using SCSISelect • Adaptec SCSI Card Driver Software • Troubleshooting
The Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 enables you to connect up to 30 SCSI devices--such as very large arrays of high-performance HDDs, external storage subsystems, clustered configurations, Ultra160 hard disk drives, scanners, and CD-ROM drives--to any Intel-based computer with 64- or 32-bit PCI expansion slots.
The Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 has two independent SCSI channels, each with a maximum throughput of 160 MBytes/sec. SCSI Channel A (marked "CH 1/A" on the card) has two internal connectors and one external connector. SCSI Channel B (marked "CH 2/B" on the card) has one internal and one external connector.
You can connect newer LVD (Low Voltage Differential) SCSI devices (includes Ultra160 and Ultra2 SCSI devices), to the 68-pin LVD/SE (Low Voltage Differential/Single-Ended) connectors on both SCSI channels. Or you can operate the LVD SCSI devices at their maximum speed on Channel B while at the same time using legacy SCSI devices on Channel A.
Although the Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 is a 64-bit PCI card, it also works in a 32-bit PCI slot. When installed in a 32-bit PCI slot, the card automatically runs in the slower 32-bit mode.
This installation guide explains how to
We recommend that if you have single-ended Ultra SCSI and earlier SCSI devices you connect them to Channel A of the Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 and that you connect LVD SCSI devices to Channel B. One of the two internal connectors for Channel A is a narrow connector. This connector is recommended for narrow SCSI devices. (Refer to the Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 diagram)
Connecting SCSI devices in this way allows the Adaptec SCSI Card 39160 to support LVD SCSI devices at speeds up to 160 MBytes/sec while at the same time supporting Ultra (legacy) devices at speeds up to 40 MBytes/sec. It also allows you to use longer cable lengths for the newer SCSI devices.
Note: If you connect Wide Ultra/Ultra SCSI devices to the same SCSI channel as the LVD SCSI devices, the data transfer rate for the LVD SCSI devices will drop to Ultra SCSI performance levels. To achieve maximum data transfer rates for the LVD SCSI devices, be sure to connect them on their own SCSI channel.