SCSI drive problem; external enclosure

[bluegreenturtle]

So my second set of questions for the evening:

I was trying to install a new, extra SCSI disk in a fileserver today and had no luck. I kept getting: "device connected, but not ready" in the bios, and windows just didn't see the disk at all. I tried the disk on 2 different adapters, and multiple SCSI ID's, no luck. I tried it as the only device on the chain, no luck. I tried 3 different cables (all working with other adapters), nothing. Disk is spinning up, but I just can't see to get it past the error message above. I assume there's something wrong with the disk? Missing something?

Secondly, as I was examining the disks in the fileservers, I am concerned that there is insufficient cooling - there are 5 10,000rpm disks squeezed in one server, 4 in another, all are unpleasantly hot to the touch.

I was thinking the solution would be to get a 4 bay external SCSI enclosure, to lighten the load in the servers. I assume the best way to do this is to just buy a PCI SCSI adapter, the enclosure, install the drives, and link the external and the adapter with an external SCSI cable? I ask because i don't know much about SCSI, especially external. Is this right? There's not really even room for another fan in the server.

Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

How about an Antec SX1200 (assuming the size and standard tower form factor works for you). This is Antec's real full-tower case minus a power supply. It has positions for five 80mm cooling fans, including one in each of the two three-drive HDD racks. I have a pair of SCSI drives in such a rack in my smaller Antec (one 10k, one 15k) and even the mildest 80mm fan keeps them very cool.

In addition to direct cooling of up to six HDD's, it has six 5.25" bays and two 3.5" (one recessed for floppy drive only). Besides the six drives down below, it can take a CD-ROM, a tape drive, a floppy drive and another 4 or 5 hard drives in fan-cooled trays if you wanted. The upper deck of the case has a 92mm rear-exhaust position to get rid of the heat up there. This is one thing that the equivalent non-Antec-branded version lacks (the 92mm upper-deck exhaust).

$80 shipped and you can pick up suitable fans anywhere. Here's a review with good photos: http://www.mikhailtech.com/articles/cases/sx1240/ Here's the shot of the HDD racks with fan holders: picture HTH... We'll be doing this to our bigger server at work soon.

 

[bluegreenturtle]

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[mechBgon]

?

 

[datallah]

depending on the configuration of the drive and scsi adaptor, you may need to terminate the last drive on the scsi cable (this can be done with a jumper)