Digital Clusters
for Windows NT V1.1/V1.0
Supported Hardware List
This document is a compilation of the systems and options tested and supported by Digital Clusters for Windows NT V1.1 and V1.0, all Service Pack releases. Refer to the Digital Clusters for Windows NT V1.1 or V1.0 Configuration and Installation Guide for complete information on configuring your cluster.
Before using any of the hardware listed in the following pages, consult the documentation for your system to be sure your selected options are also supported on that system. Both the clusters software and your system must support the hardware in your clusters configurations.
If you are configuring Clusters with RAID 310, RAID 410 or RAID 450, ensure you have access to updated HSZ driver and RAID firmware. Contact terescik@ntsg.ako.dec.com for information.
| AlphaServer Systems | SCSI Bus Extenders |
| Prioris Server Systems | RAID Controllers and Subsystems |
| Prioris Cluster-Ready Kits | Disks |
| SCSI Adapters | SCSI Cables |
| Storage Enclosuers | Bus Terminators |
| System | I/O Bus | Min ECU | Min ARC Firmware |
| AlphaServer
4100 AlphaServer 4000 |
EISA/PCI | V1.9 | AlphaBIOS V5.28 |
| AlphaServer
2100A 5/xxx AlphaServer 2100 5/xxx AlphaServer 2000 5/xxx |
EISA/PCI | V1.9 | V4.51 |
| AlphaServer
2100A 4/xxx AlphaServer 2100 4/xxx AlphaServer 2000 4/xxx |
EISA/PCI | V1.9 | V4.50 |
| AlphaServer 1000/1000A Model 5 | EISA/PCI | V1.9 | AlphaBIOS V5.28 |
| AlphaServer 1000/1000A | EISA/PCI | V1.9 | V4.52 |
| AlphaServer 800 | EISA/PCI | V1.10 | AlphaBIOS V5.28 |
| AlphaServer 400 | ISA/PCI | V1.9 | V5.5 |
Supported Prioris Server Systems
| System | I/O Bus | SCU | System BIOS |
| Prioris MX Server | EISA/PCI | V1.02 | V1.1 |
| Prioris ZX 6000 Server | EISA/PCI | V1.03-01E | V1.04 |
| Prioris ZX 5000 Server | EISA/PCI | V3.30 | V1.00.07.BGO |
| Prioris HX 6000 Server | EISA/PCI | V1.01 | V1.0 |
| Prioris HX 5000 Server | EISA/PCI | V1.01 | V1.03 |
| Prioris HX 590 Server | EISA/PCI | V1.08e | V1.1 |
| Prioris XL Server | EISA/PCI | V1.00 V1.02 V1.03 V1.05 V1.08 V1.1a |
V1.00 V1.02 V1.04 V2.01 V2.04 V2.07 |
Cluster-Ready Kits for Prioris Servers
| Digital Part Number | Description |
| FR-BA356-NT | Kit includes one BA356 storage enclosure, (2) 2944W adapters, DWZZB-VW signal converter, tri-link connector, SCSI cables, Y-cables, 2 network cards, terminators and QB-53V9A-SA Digital Clusters for NT software kit. |
| FR-BA356-N2 | Expansion kit includes one BA356 storage enclosure and DWZZB-VW signal converters, Y cables, tri-link connectors. Pre-requisite is FR-BA356-N2. |
| FR-CK310-RF | RAID 310 subsystem
supporting up to 30GB capacity. Expansion kit available
to support 7 additional drives. Drives must be purchased
separately Intel platform kit for RAID 310 Necessary RAID management software and firmware (2) Adaptec 2944W SCSI adapters Y cables, terminator, SCSI cables (2) network interface cards and network cable for second network connection QB-53V9A-SA Digital Clusters for NT software kit |
| FR-CK310-RU | RAID 310 upgrade kit. Pre-requisite is FR-BA356-NT |
| FR-SWXRA-Z2 | Expansion kit includes one BA346 storage enclosure and cabling for increasing storage capacity of RAID 310. Pre-requisite is FR-CK310-RF. |
Each server system must have a supported SCSI adapter installed on the system expansion bus, in addition to any internal bus adapter shipped with the system. Digital strongly recommends that you disable or remove all internal termination and use Y cables or tri-link connectors to implement external termination.
| Adapter | Description | Connector | Driver | Notes |
| Digital KZPSA-BB |
PCI-based Fast Wide Differential SCSI-2 controller | 68 pin differential | NT driver
V1.41 required deckzpsx.sys |
FW A10
required Supports AlphaServers only |
| Adaptec AHA-2944W |
PCI-based, fast wide differential SCSI-2 controller. | 68 pin differential | For
Windows NT Server 3.51: aic78xx.sys V1.31LS Supplied with Digital Clusters for WNT software. For Windows NT Server
4.0: Supplied with NT 4.0 Service Pack 2 |
|
The following disk storage expansion enclosures are supported.
| Storage Enclosure | Description | Transmission Method | Data Path Size | Connector |
| BA346-KB | Pedestal, 16 bit SCSI | Single-ended | Wide | 68 pin |
| BA350-KB | Pedestal, 8 bit SCSI | Single-ended | Narrow | 50 pin high density |
| BA356-KC | Expansion unit, 16 bit SCSI | Single-ended | Wide | 68 pin |
Note: Single-ended storage enclosures require a SCSI signal converter to connect to the supported adapters.
SCSI Bus Extenders and Signal Converters
Signal converters convert single-ended SCSI signals to differential SCSI signals. They are used to connect single-ended and differential bus segments to allow communication between devices with different transmission methods or to overcome cabling length restrictions on single-ended buses. Some signal converters also can be used to connect narrow single-ended devices to a wide differential bus. You can have a maximum of two signal converters installed between devices.
The following signal converters are supported.
| Signal Converter | Minimum Hardware | Minimum Firmware | Data Path | Description |
| DWZZB-AA | E01 | A02 | wide/wide | Standalone product - Includes built-in universal power supply for general purpose SCSI bus length and signal conversion needs. |
| DWZZB-VW | E01 | A02 | wide/wide | StorageWorks building block. Installs in disk slot 0 in a BA356 or BA346 storage enclosure. |
| DWZZA-AA | E02 | n/a | narrow/wide | Includes DWZZA-MA (module for embedding in SCSI systems) and a power supply encased in small standalone unit. For use with BA350-KB. |
| DWZZA-VA | F02 | n/a | narrow/wide | StorageWorks building block. Installs in disk slot 0 in a BA350-KB storage enclosure. |
Supported RAID Controllers and Subsystems
StorageWorks Platform Kits for Digital Clusters for Windows NT
The following platform kits make the addition of RAID storage to a Clusters for NT environment easier to configure and order. Refer to Sales Update article "StorageWorks Platform Kits for Digital’s Windows NT Clusters V1.0 software" in VTX IR or the LJSRV1::ALT1:[NT_CLSTR] directory for details. These kits assume that the customers owns or is planning to purchase StorageWorks RAID 310, RAID 410, RAID 450, or RAID configurations using HSZ40 or HSZ50 controllers.
| Part Number | Description | Pre-requisites |
| SWDKT-DC | Alpha/NT
Clusters Platform Kit includes:
|
AlphaServers Network cards (4 recommended) One of the following:
|
| SWIKT-DC | Intel/NT
Clusters Platform Kit includes:
|
Prioris
servers Network cards (4 recommended) One of the following:
|
| SWDKT-DD | Windows NT
Cluster Enabling Kit includes
|
This upgrade kit includes everything the customer needs to upgrade from basic SCSI expansion JBOD storage to RAID. |
StorageWorks HSZ40 RAID Controller Module
May be combined with various storage enclosures to create versatile RAID subsystems. Refer to the Digital Systems and Options Catalog, or StorageWorks business unit, for detailed configuration options and part numbers.
| Controller | Description | Connector | Firmware | Notes |
| HSZ40-BA HSZ40-Cx |
RAID Array controller | 68 pin differential | V3.0Z-2 | 6-channel,
various cache options Requires V2.71 driver for HSZ |
StorageWorks RAID 410 Sample Configuration and options
The following table represents one option for configuring a StorageWorks RAID Array 410 subsystem. Refer to the Digital Systems and Options Catalog, or StorageWorks business unit, for detailed configuration options and part numbers.
| Description | Connector | Firmware | Notes | |
| SWXRA-Y* | RAID Array 410 subsystem | 68 pin differential | V3.0Z-2 | |
| SWXD3-** | Disk drive in Storage Works Building Block. | Quantity depends on the amount of storage required | ||
| SWIKT-CA | WNT/Intel RAID Array 410 platform kit. Includes PCI/SCSI adapter. | For Intel systems with PCI | ||
| SWDKT-CA | WNT/Alpha RAID Array 410 platform kit. Includes PCI/SCSI adapter. | For Alpha systems |
StorageWorks HSZ50 RAID Controller Module
May be combined with various storage enclosures to create versatile RAID subsystems. Refer to the Digital Systems and Options Catalog, or StorageWorks business unit, for detailed configuration options and part numbers.
| Controller | Description | Connector | Firmware | Notes |
| HSZ50-AF | RAID Array controller | 68 pin differential | V5.0Z-1 | 6-channel,
various cache options Requires V3.2 driver for HSZ |
StorageWorks RAID 450 Sample Configuration and options
The following table represents one option for configuring a StorageWorks RAID Array 450 subsystem. Refer to the Digital Systems and Options Catalog, or StorageWorks business unit, for detailed configuration options and part numbers.
| Description | Connector | Firmware | Notes | |
| DS-SWXRA-W0 | RAID Array 450 subsystem | 68 pin differential | V5.0Z-1 | |
| DS-SWXRA-W4 | RAID Array 450 subsystem in rackmount enclosure | 68 pin differential | V5.0Z-1 | |
| SWXD3-** | Disk drive in Storage Works Building Block. | Quantity depends on the amount of storage required | ||
| QB-5JCAE-SA | WNT/Intel RAID Array 450 platform kit. Includes PCI/SCSI adapter. | For Intel systems with PCI | ||
| QB-5JCAD-SA | WNT/Alpha RAID Array 450 platform kit. Includes PCI/SCSI adapter. | For Alpha systems |
StorageWorks RAID 310 Sample Configuration and options (1)
The following table represents one option for configuring a StorageWorks RAID Array 310 subsystem. Refer to the Digital Systems and Options Catalog, or StorageWorks business unit, for detailed configuration options and part numbers.
| Digital Part Number | Description | Connector | Firmware | Notes |
| SWXRA-Z1 | RAID Array 310 subsystem | 68 pin differential | V3.0 | Dual power supplies |
| SWXRA-Z2 | 7-slot SBB expansion cab. | 68 pin | Doubles storage capacity of 310 | |
| SWIKT-DA | WNT/Intel RAID Array 310 platform kit. Includes PCI/SCSI adapter. | For Intel systems with PCI | ||
| SWDKT-DA | WNT/Alpha RAID Array 310 platform kit. Includes PCI/SCSI adapter. | For Alpha systems |
| Disk Device | Description | Data Path | Minimum Firmware |
| RZ26L-VA | 1.5GB disk in SBB | Narrow | 440C |
| RZ28B-VA | 2.1GB disk in SBB | Narrow | 0006 |
| RZ28C-VA | 2.1GB disk in SBB | Narrow | 0004 |
| RZ28D-VA | 2.1GB disk in SBB | Narrow | 0008 |
| RZ29B-VA | 4.3GB disk in SBB | Narrow | 0014 |
| RZ26L-VW | 1.5GB wide disk in SBB | Wide | 442E |
| RZ28C-VW | 2.1GB wide disk in SBB | Wide | 0004 |
| RZ28D-VW | 2.1GB wide disk in SBB | Wide | 0008 |
| RZ29B-VW | 4.3GB wide disk in SBB | Wide | 0014 |
Note: Only narrow drives are supported in the BA350 and RAID Array 410 enclosures
The type of cables you need for your cluster depends on the hardware configuration. The following tables describes the supported cables and the context in which each cable would be used. Note that each supported cable comes in a variety of lengths. You must select cables such that the total length of the bus segment does not exceed its specified maximum.
| Cable | Connector Densities | Use |
| 50-Pin ("A") | ||
| BN21V-0B BN23G-nn or BN21R-nn |
One high, two
low One high, one low |
This Y cable
attaches to narrow devices and can be terminated if
necessary. These cables connect devices and cables with different connector densities. |
| 68-Pin ("P") | ||
| BN21W-0B BN21K-nn or N21L-nn |
Three high Two high |
This Y cable
attaches to wide devices and can be terminated if
necessary. These cables connect BN21W Y cables or wide devices |
Note: nn denotes length in meters
Supported Bus Terminators and Connectors
You need terminators and connectors for the shared SCSI bus. This table describes the supported terminators and connectors and the context in which you would use them.
| Type | Description | Density | Pin | Use |
| Terminator | ||||
| FR-PCXAR-WJ H879-AA (external vendor) |
Single-ended,
wide terminator Wide differential terminator |
High High |
68 pin 68 pin |
Terminates
wide cables Terminates a tri-link connector or wide differential cable |
| Connector | ||||
| H885-AA (external vendor) |
Tri-link connector | Three high |
Three 68 pin |
Attaches to high-density, 68-pin cables or devices. Can be terminated if necessary. Electrically the same as a BN21W-0B. |
| BN21W-0B | Wide Y cable | 68 pin |