SCSI help needed: connect LVD/SE device to 2940AU card

[Ark]

Not sure if it's a right forum, if not tell me where to post

I will need to connect Sony SDT-10000 internal tape drive (bare drive only, no accessories) to PC with Adaptec 2940AU controller with 1.32 BIOS

According to the manual this drive is SE/LVD with one 68 pin connector (I did not recieved drive yet)
Card does not have 68 pind connector, 50 pin internal and 50 pin external connectors

I am planning to get:

50 to 68 pin adapter, 68 pin cable, 68 pin terminator:
Card 50pin Internal -> 50/68 adapter -> 68 cable ->drive ->68 pin terminator.

Or:
50 pin cable, 50 to 68 pin adapter, 50 pin terminator:
Card 50pin Internal -> 50 cable ->50/68 adapter ->DRIVE -> 50 pin terminator.

Will it work ?
Anything special about SE/LVD settings and termination?

Will it be chapper to get a new card?
I know it will not work fast with 2940AU, but this is a tape backup and it will do job overnite.
Just trying to save some money for start-up company.

Also, external connector on the same card used for scanner
50pinExt -> Cable 50pin ->50/25 adapter ->Scanner> 25 pin terminator.
Can I keep scanner, or I have to disconnect it?

Thank you

 

[LiLithTecH]

The adapter gets plugged into the Tape drive.

Buy a Adapter with the termination built on to it.
Note: Not all adapter's are created equal.
Cheap adapters generally cause more headaches then it is worth.

an Example of a better adapter.
68 to 50-Pin adapters for LVD drives

 

[redbeard1]

Scsi is supposed to be backwards compatible. So getting a 68 pin male to 50 pin male adapter and a 50 pin cable with an active terminator, should be all you need. Sometimes LVD devices don't like going to a slower hook up, but for the most part they will. There may be a jumper setting on the tape drive, so that you could force it to use SE operation. This setting would probably be make it more stable if it was available.

Generally adaptec does not let you use a device on both the internal and external connections in the low end model cards. Check their site for info on that card and whether it will support both connections in use at the same time.

Some of the other combinations you list could work, but I think this one maybe the simplest for your situation. We've used that setup a number of times at work. Though nothing is perfect. Odd things do come up now and again.

You can buy one channel lvd cards, that don't have any 50 pin connections, that aren't adaptec, and they are a little cheaper. Advansys used to make one, but I think they were bought out. You'd have to do some shopping to see what is still available

 

[Ark]

Thanks guys,
I am not really sure that this drive is LVD.
Don't have drive yet, but according to the manual it comes as SE or SE/LVD.
Will wait until it comes Tue-Wed.

Looked at the local Microcenter - all SCSI adapters/cables are very expensive.
I may just get 19160 card instead - it comes with LVD terminated cable in retail package.
I may just grab one in FS forum - probably will cost same as all adapters/cables and will not touch my scanner setup.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Actually, the card is not a LOW-END card.

You can use your scanner and the internal 50 pin for the Tape drive
at the same time. You can connect up to 7 devices internally and externally.

When using both external and internal connections, the card disables the
termination on the card itself, which is why you would need a terminator on
both the scanner and the Tape drive.

Save your money and use what you have.

 

[earthman]

This card should auto-terminate. A 19160 would be overkill for a tape drive I think.

 

[redbeard1]

I stand partially corrected. This link says that a 2940u can use both. But a 2940uw can't use all the connections at one time. If the link doesn't work, it is article ID 2282 in their ASK knowledge base.

Adaptec answers

 

[Ark]

Thnks everyone.
I definately will try to use 2940AU - this is a good card.
I need just to get 50 pin ribbon cable, terminator and 50/68 pin adapter.
I'll let you know what results will be as soon as I get the drive.

 

[LiLithTecH]

redbeard1

The 2940UW has both Wide(50pin) and Ultra-Wide(68pin) internal connections,
which is why you can't use both at the same time.
It does not affect the external hookup.

 

[dude]

Originally posted by: Ark
Thanks guys, I am not really sure that this drive is LVD. Don't have drive yet, but according to the manual it comes as SE or SE/LVD. Will wait until it comes Tue-Wed. Looked at the local Microcenter - all SCSI adapters/cables are very expensive. I may just get 19160 card instead - it comes with LVD terminated cable in retail package. I may just grab one in FS forum - probably will cost same as all adapters/cables and will not touch my scanner setup.

I would highly suggest you go online to find that cable/converter. If you go ebay, you'd probably get it for $5 to $10.

 

[Ark]

What is a good place to buy cheap SCSI adapters and cables?

 

[Zepper]

cables/adapters cheap?

good but not necessarily cheap -www.hypermicro.com

Cheap but ?quality? - www.computergate.com - www.cablestogo.com .
.bh.

 

[Ark]

Ok guys, I got the drive today, this is not LVD drive, this drive is SE drive.
So I am getting;

50pin flat or round cable, with 3 connectors.
First connector will go to internal 50 pin on the card,
Second over 50F/68M adapter will go to the drive,
Third connector - active terminator 50 pin.


Will it work or am I missing something?