*BSD News Article 43775


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From: @atrad.adelaide.edu.au    (Mike Smith)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Re: SCSI Hardware Questions
Date: 10 May 1995 05:28:21 GMT
Organization: Genesis Software
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Distribution: world
Message-ID: <3opitl$e6c@quandong.itd.adelaide.edu.au>
References: <D80608.MHq@spaceworks.com>
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In <D80608.MHq@spaceworks.com>, msm@spaceworks.com (Michael Mstowski) writes:
>I have a few SCSI hardware questions when using FreeBSD.
>I currently have an Adaptec 1542B ISA controller with a 486/80 16MB 
>and is it ever slow.  It's slow under Windows and it's slow under FreeBSD.

What qualifies it as "slow"?  You should be able to do >1M/sec with that 
combination, which isn't really all that bad 8)

>I'm using a new HP 1Gig drive and don't believe that the drive is where
>the performance problem is.
>Questions:
>1) Should I buy a adaptec ava2825 controller for about $140 and will this
>make any speed difference?

Yes.  Lots.

>2) Does VESA buy me much over any other 16bit SCSI?

Yes. Lots.

>3) Does the 40mhz bus cause problems for SCSI controllers?

Many motherboards have the good 'ol ">33MHz" jumper which (if I understand
correctly) alter the VLB/CPU timing relationship in order to keep to the
33MHz VLB requirements.

>4) Any suggestions for a good SCSI controller for about $100-150?

The 2842 has a good reputation; I use Ultrastor 34F's with (apparently 8) excellent
results, but my understanding is that they're lots more expensive.

>I've read the Linux SCSI howto,(but prefer FreeBSD anyway), but I'm not a
>hardware guy, so I'm still confused about SCSI and which hardware to buy?

If you have VLB, buy a busmastering VLB controller.  The Adaptec 2842 will
do you just fine in that regard, and at $140, it's a good buy! (they're ~$500AUD
here 8( )

>Michael Mstowski
>msm@spaceworks.com

Mike