Managers,
I am not sure if this is an open forum but I found the message index and figured 'what the heck.'
We have an Alpha Server 1000a 5/400 with a single Qlogic SCSI controller internal. We wish to add 4 Quantum 4.5 GB Atlas II Ultra Wide SCSI drives to the system. We had the drives before the machine was purchased and realized that we could no longer purchase the storage works cases for the drives from digital. So we bought an external drive case with an internal SCSI cable and connected it to the ALPHA's external SCSI port. We verified that the drives were addressed and terminated properly by connecting the case to an Intel system with an adaptec 2940 controller running NT Server. Upon plugging the case onto the alpha, the system would give an error message "Data phase error CSEC status reported" and continually restart. (Running Digital UNIX v4.0b). I guessed that the problem is that our cable is longer than a half meter and that is a problem for the alpha. My questions are:
1. Can I get Storage works cases for the alpha server that will take my ultra wide drives from somewhere (we are a non profit government research center if that helps)?
2. Is there any way of jury rigging a cable into the storage works cabinet that will allow me to mount the drives without the cases? This is the worst case actually.
3. Can I overcome the meter and a half limit with some sort of extender cable?
4. Can I place an additional adaptec 2940 PCI controller in the system and configure it such that it only runs external hard disks and not play with the existing SCSI config in the machine? I only ask about adaptec because I have one here. I could purchase another controller. I would need some help to configure any card though.
Any help or direction would be appreciated, Even if it just points me in another direction for more info. Unfortunately, this system is totally alien to our group and we are low on funding to get support but anything will be great.
Thank you for your time
Kurt Brown
NYS Institute for Basic Research
Received on Wed Jun 04 1997 - 18:10:54 NZST