Need a ~50gig external tape backup solution (around $200)

[trend]

Last set of questions (hopefully)

Why did I need to go back to find out more information if I knew that the card was a 875? Just so I could find a solution that works exacully (aka, I don't get a tape drive that would work via backwords capabilites)?

So I should get:
http://www.lsilogic.com/products/scsi_hbas/lsiu40se.html#top
and then I could get any external 68pin scsi tape drive (and all external scsi devices are 68pin?)

thanks again!

 

[bwnv]

Just look at the back of the server. There should be 2 scsi connectors, one will be on the 221 raid card, don't use that one as the card is only a single channel. Most of Compaq servers have 2 channels on the mobo, but you'd probably have to remove the raid card to see them.

 

[Peter]

Look, if you're that clueless about SCSI you should admit it and seek local help. Really. No, not all external devices are 68-pin, and even if they are, there are two different kinds of connector. But that's just cabling issues - you're not at the point where this is relevant yet.

All we know so far is that the SCSI solution that is already in there USES an LSI 53C875 chip, which is adequate for a tape drive of any kind. Now what you actually need to do is figure out what SCSI connectors this solution provides (internal and/or external), and what tape drive you're going to use. Then we can help you get suitable cabling.

 

[trend]

The server has an external scsi connector (90percent sure that is what I saw.. Looked like it).

and the external connector looked a lot smaller than the pci card's external scsi..

I don't mind purchasing 2 cables and 2 terminators.. just so I make sure I have the right one...

I was thinking about getting this tape drive to work with windows 2000:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-External-DLT...6QQcategoryZ116274QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(applicable specs: Interface 68pin wide LVD single ended or differential .)

Then get a 'test' scsi /pci card for me to make sure eveyrthing is working fine with this before i deliver it

What you think peter?

 

[Peter]

68-pin external plug is either normal high-density subD, or very-high-density (the smaller variety). It's just cabling. You'll also need a terminator on the far end of the device chain.

The LSIU40SE card I recommended above happens to have VHD connectors externally. This is good because good SCSI cables are expensive, and you most definitely won't want to buy more than you'll actually need.

 

[trend]

Great, got my tape drive in today!

Here is the pic of the back (it came with a cable.. and I have a terminator that looks like it will fit as well )

http://www.powerleaf.com/tape_drive%20002.jpg

It appears to me that the card you recommended:
http://www.lsilogic.com/products/scsi_hbas/lsiu40se.html#top

will fit the bill, right?


thanks!

 

[Steve]

Yup, you're on the right track. All you need now is an external SCSI cable with VHDCI connectors. These are 68-pin but meant for (U40)SE rather than U2W(80)/U160/U320.

 

[trend]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Yup, you're on the right track. All you need now is an external SCSI cable with VHDCI connectors. These are 68-pin but meant for (U40)SE rather than U2W(80)/U160/U320.

So:
A) the card i linked to is fine
B) the cable on top of the tape drive (in the picture) will not work for me?

Many thanks

 

[Steve]

The card is fine. Tell me about that cable. Has it got 68 pins? Does it have any words/numbers/symbols on it?

 

[trend]

Originally posted by: sm8000
The card is fine. Tell me about that cable. Has it got 68 pins? Does it have any words/numbers/symbols on it?

It plugs up and screws down to the tape drive. It came with the tape drive and I was told works with it.. I asked the guy for the scsi card that went with the combo, but he already sold it..

cable has taped to it:

compaq 189646-003
-some other numbers- (not sure if these are needed)
Spare 189635-003

I will go ahead and order the card.. just let me know about the cable (i don't know why it wouldn't work :/ but then again i am not a scsi genious)

thanks!

 

[Steve]

Hmmm, searching for that part number on HP.com finds me this:

189646-003
SCSI interface cable with thumbscrews on both ends - 68-pin high density (M) to 68-pin high density (M) - 3.7m (12ft) long

And Googling it brings me a result saying it's LVD, from a result on the second page.

I'm 99% certain you can use SE equipment on LVD media. What I don't know about at all is the compatibility of HD and VHD connections. Also, I don't know if 12' is too long. Peter, any insight for us?

 

[trend]

Crap!!!
I got the card in (LSIU40SE) the other day.. tried to plug my cable up and the external plugs are a lot smaller than what the cable would fit to:
http://www.powerleaf.com/tape_drive%20003.jpg
http://www.powerleaf.com/tape_drive%20004.jpg

But the internal ones would work (not that that helps me out at all!
http://www.powerleaf.com/tape_drive%20005.jpg

What is my best option:

A)Buy the right scsi card and ebay my current one
B)Purchase the right cable (I thought Peter said cables were expensive)

thanks!
Lee

 

[Steve]

New cable for sure. You might be able to find an adapter (I don't know if one exists or could be made), but a properly compatible cable is the way to go. That external connector on the card is called VHDCI, sometimes also labeled 0.8mm:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/scsi_connecters.html

So you need a cable where one end is VHDCI and the other is 68-pin SE. I would get in touch with Hypermicro about the cable I've linked there, it's the one you need but it's out of stock. If they won't have it in stock anytime soon, try searching pricewatch.com, Google, or Froogle.

 

[trend]

Yeah!!!

Hip Hip Hurah for sm8000!

 

[trend]

Cool, they said they had them in stock and will ship out today

That kinda worries me, oh well hopefully i get it wen or thur

 

[Steve]

Excellent, they're a great vendor for SCSI products. Keep us posted!

 

[trend]

GRRRR!! Why me.. I hate tape drives!
The tape drive was receieved a week late.. The scsi card didn't work my with existing cable.. then the cable I ordered was never delivered (until I called them an yelled at them)..

And now....

I hook up the tape drive to my scsi card, and it isn't even being identified by my scsi card's BIOS.

Anyone with experience with this card or tape drive have ideas?

thanks!
Lee

 

[trend]

Wierd.. my other tape drive doesn't show up in the bios either (and it works fine under 2k).. oh well.

I cannot get this tape drive to work right off my main rig.. (I am using a diff terminator on the tape drive). (windows 2003) (I have tried a couple scsi IDs)

I hook this tape drive off another tape drive (off another computer) with this tape drive as the end one (and having the terminator on it), and then neither tape drive show up under device manager (windows 2000) (I have tried scsi IDs 2,3, and 4)

Do you have any ideas?

 

[Peter]

My idea is that you need on-site help with this. I mean, you've been screwing around for an entire month now, on something that is a 20-minute job for someone who know what they're doing. Client still happy?

 

[trend]

Yes client is still happy.. Don't be a jerk. Not sure why you wanted to say something rude like that in the first place?

And did you read the posts why it has taken so long? Maybe you were drunk when you posts the reply, but it hasn't been my fault that everyone sent me the wrong thing, or a broken thing.. or not sent me something..
if you are not going to contribute, don't be a troll

 

[trend]

Interesting!!! I take the tape drive out of the enclosure and hook it up as I would if it was internal.. and now my scsi BIOS sees it!!! Yeah!!!!!!

Now... Why would this happen?

 

[Peter]

I contributed right from the start in case you don't remember, and besides, I've been recommending you get local assistance soon after. We've helped you through your apparent lack of any clue about SCSI whatsoever all the way, lecturing, recommending, guessing, to the point that you now have more than all the necessary equipment lying there and don't get it to work. Does that sound like trolling to you?

Anyway, I'm not vulnerable to personal attacks, so here goes, final advice before I definitely hand you over to whoever can help you on-site:

If you don't get the SCSI card's BIOS to recognize the device, that's either because the drive isn't coming online (typically due to it and/or the SCSI cabling not being configured correctly) or because the cabling is so wrong that the SCSI card can't talk to it. Another possible reason is the SCSI card might be configured to not probe for a drive on that particular ID. Check your "Devices" submenu.

 

[Steve]

You really need to lighten up.

There's only so much people can do for you over the web, it is a good idea for hands-on assistance. If you're into newsgroups, I believe there is a SCSI newsgroup or two where you could maybe find someone in your area. Or you could try Craigslist.

Also, I bought some SCSI drives from a man in Georgia this summer, over in HardForum. I know he's from Georgia, not sure where, but I'm sending him a PM to see if he's local to you and can maybe lend a hand.

 

[trend]

Originally posted by: Peter
Client still happy?

That is trolling.. Or was that ment to be a happy/helpful tip?

Kinda made me mad.

(Yes, I stepped back looked over the situation, and took a fair look at things.. I still think that was rude. it was ment to be rude, wasn't it? If not, what was the purpose of it?)

No, besides that, you have been SO helpful! I appreciate it all

 

[Peter]

That was meant to say exactly what it said. Purpose: Make you reconsider your progress with the client, given that, by your own words back then, they've already been impatient about your repeated on-site appearance - three weeks ago.

Y'know, again not to be taken personal ... sometimes, providing the best possible service to the client means admitting it's over your head and letting someone else do it. But since you're stuck too deep in this one, keep going but do seek local assistance - for your own progress, and also for the client's benefit of getting this done BEFORE they actually NEED backup.