Adaptec Vectra VL6 8 User manual

R
AHA-2940Ultra/
2940Ultra Wide
PCI-to-UltraSCSI Host Adapter
with SCSISelect
Installation Guide

1
Introduction
The Adaptec AHA®-2940Ultra and AHA-2940Ultra
Wide PCI-to-Fast SCSI host adapters provide a pow-
erful multitasking interface between your com-
puter’s PCI bus and SCSI devices (disk drives,
CD-ROM drives, scanners, tape backups, removable
media drives, etc.). Collectively, both host adapters
are referred to as the AHA-2940Ultra/2940Ultra
Wide. The following figures show the major compo-
nents on the AHA-2940Ultra and AHA-2940Ultra
Wide.
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Adaptec AHA-2940Ultra
50-pin 8-bit Internal
SCSI Connector
Host
Adapter
LED
AIC-78xx SCSI Protocol Chip
50-pin 8-bit
External
SCSI
Connector
Host Adapter
BIOS LED Connector
Adaptec AHA-2940Ultra Wide
50-pin 8-bit Internal
SCSI Connector
Host
Adapter
LED
AIC-78xx SCSI Protocol Chip
68-pin 16-bit
External
SCSI
Connector
LED Connector
Host Adapter
BIOS
68-pin 16-bit
Internal SCSI
Connector

2
Installing the Host Adapter
Follow these instructions to install the host adapter:
1Turn OFF power to the computer and peripheral
devices and disconnect the power cords.
2Remove the cover from the computer case.
3Locate an unused 32-bit PCI expansion slot (the
slot must support Bus Master data transfers);
unscrew and remove the metal bracket that covers
the card-slot opening. (Save the screw to use when
securing the host adapter in your computer.)
PCI slots are shorter than ISA or EISA slots and
are typically white. Usually there are three PCI
slots. (One of these may be a shared slot into
which you can insert either an ISA/EISA board or
a PCI board.)
4Insert the host adapter in the PCI expansion slot.
Press it down firmly so that the contacts are
securely seated in the slot.
5When the host adapter is firmly seated in the
expansion slot, secure the metal bracket of the host
adapter with the screw you removed in step 3.
Do not replace the computer cover or reconnect your
computer and peripherals to their power sources yet!
SCSI Configuration Guidelines
Before installing your SCSI devices, you should
understand the basic SCSI concepts described in this
section. The information will help you set up your
host adapter and devices so they function properly.
SCSI ID Numbers
Each device attached to the host adapter, as well as
the host adapter itself, must have a unique SCSI ID
number (0 to 7 for the AHA-2940Ultra, and 0 to 15 for
the AHA-2940Ultra Wide).
We recommend that you leave the host adapter set
to its default setting of SCSI ID 7. If you need to
change the host adapter SCSI ID, see Configuring the
Host Adapter on page 7. To change the SCSI ID on
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your hard disk and other SCSI devices, refer to the
device’s documentation.
The host adapter supports the SCSI Configured
AutoMatically (SCAM) protocol, which assigns
SCSI IDs dynamically and resolves SCSI ID conflicts
automatically at bootup. If your system includes
SCSI disk drives or other devices that support
SCAM, you do not need to manually assign SCSI IDs
to these devices. To enable SCAM support, see Con-
figuring the Host Adapter on page 7.
Most SCSI devices currently in use, however, do not
support SCAM. The SCSI IDs on these devices must
be set manually. To change the SCSI IDs on these
devices, refer to the device’s documentation.
Note: If you plan to boot your computer
from a SCSI device attached to the host
adapter, set the Boot Target ID setting in the
SCSISelect utility to correspond to the SCSI
ID of the device you are booting from (see
Configuring the Host Adapter on page 7).
SCSI Terminators
To ensure reliable communication, the SCSI bus
must be properly terminated. Termination is con-
trolled by a set of electrical resistors, called termina-
tors. Terminators must be placed (or enabled) at the
two extreme ends of the SCSI bus. All devices that lie
between the ends must have their terminators
removed (or disabled).
Terminating the AHA-2940Ultra
Termination on the AHA-2940Ultra itself is con-
trolled by software commands via the SCSISelect util-
ity. The default setting is Automatic, which works like
this:
■If the AHA-2940Ultra detects that a cable is con-
nected to either its internal or external SCSI con-
nector, then it enables its terminators (the
AHA-2940Ultra is at the end of the SCSI bus).

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■If the AHA-2940Ultra detects that a cable is con-
nected to both its internal and external SCSI con-
nector, then it disables its terminators (the
AHA-2940Ultra lies between the ends of the SCSI
bus).
We recommend that you leave the AHA-2940Ultra
set to its default setting of Automatic. If you want to
manually enable or disable the AHA-2940Ultra ter-
mination setting, see Configuring the Host Adapter on
page 7.
Terminating the AHA-2940Ultra Wide
Termination on the AHA-2940Ultra Wide itself is
controlled by software commands via the SCSISelect
utility. The default setting is set to Automatic.
We recommend that you leave the AHA-2940Ultra
Wide set to its default setting of Automatic. If you
want to manually set the AHA-2940Ultra Wide ter-
mination setting, see Configuring the Host Adapter on
page 7. The following table lists the termination set-
tings for manual configuration.
Terminating SCSI Devices
Read the device’s documentation to determine how
to enable or disable termination on your particular
SCSI device(s). On most internal SCSI devices the ter-
mination setting is controlled by a jumper or a
switch. On other internal SCSI devices you must
physically remove or install resistor module(s). On
most external SCSI devices, a terminating plug (a
resistor pack embedded in a small plug) is installed
or removed to control termination.
AHA-2940Ultra
Wide Termination
Devices Connected to AHA-2940Ultra Wide Low High
68-pin internal connector only ON ON
68-pin external connector only ON ON
68-pin internal and 68-pin external connectors OFF OFF
50-pin internal connector only ON ON
50-pin and 68-pin internal connectors OFF ON
50-pin internal and 68-pin external connectors OFF ON

5
Installing SCSI Devices
You can connect up to a total of seven internal and
external 8-bit SCSI devices to the AHA-2940Ultra, and
up to 15 devices (seven 8-bit internal and eight Wide
(16-bit) internal or external SCSI devices, or 15 Wide
internal and external SCSI devices) to the
AHA-2940Ultra Wide.
Choosing SCSI Cables
The cables required to connect SCSI devices are
determined by the type of devices you are installing,
as described in the following table.
If you purchased your AHA-2940Ultra/2940Ultra
Wide in an Adaptec kit, the kit includes an internal
SCSI cable that allows you to connect up to two
internal SCSI devices (the AHA-2940Ultra kit
includes a 50-pin internal SCSI cable, and the
AHA-2940Ultra Wide kit includes both a 50-pin and
a 68-pin internal SCSI cable). If you are connecting
more than two internal SCSI devices, you must
obtain an internal SCSI cable with enough connec-
tors to accommodate all of your devices.
Adaptec sells high-quality internal and external SCSI
cables. If your reseller does not stock these cables,
call Adaptec directly at the number for ordering
Adaptec software and cables listed on page 12.
When Fast SCSI devices are connected to the host
adapter, the total length of all cables (internal and
external) must not exceed 3 meters (9.8 ft.) to ensure
reliable operation. If no Fast SCSI devices are con-
nected, the total length of all cables must not exceed
SCSI Device Type AHA-2940Ultra AHA-2940Ultra
Wide
8-bit Internal SCSI 50-pin internal
SCSI cable 50-pin internal SCSI cable
8-bit External SCSI 50-pin high-density
external SCSI cable —
16-bit Internal
Wide SCSI — 68-pin internal SCSI cable
16-bit External
Wide SCSI — 68-pin external SCSI cable
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6 meters (19.7 ft). See your device’s documentation
to determine if it is a Fast SCSI device.
Connecting Internal SCSI Devices
If you are connecting internal SCSI devices, make
sure you have an internal SCSI cable with enough
connectors to accommodate all of your devices.
1Prepare each SCSI device for installation; config-
ure the device SCSI ID and terminators (terminate
the last internal device attached to the cable). For
instructions, see the device’s documentation as
well as SCSI Configuration Guidelines on page 2.
2Install the SCSI device in your computer. Refer to
your computer and device documentation for
instructions.
3Plug the connector at one end of the internal SCSI
cable into the host adapter’s internal SCSI
connector.
Make sure the colored stripe on one side of the
cable is aligned with pin-1 of the host adapter’s
connector. Pin-1 of the connector is usually desig-
nated by a small triangle (▲), or a “1” on the
connector.
4Plug the remaining connectors on the cable into
the connectors on the backs of the devices.
Make sure the colored stripe on the cable is
aligned with pin-1 of the device’s connector.
5Connect a DC power cable (from your computer’s
power supply) to the power connector on the
SCSI device.
Connecting External SCSI Devices
If you are connecting external SCSI devices to your
host adapter, you must obtain an external SCSI cable
for each external device you install.
1Prepare each SCSI device for installation; config-
ure the SCSI ID and attach a terminating plug
into the last external device. For instructions, see
the device’s documentation as well as SCSI Con-
figuration Guidelines on page 2.

7
2Plug the connector at one end of the external SCSI
cable into the host adapter’s external SCSI
connector.
3Plug the connector at the other end of the cable to
either one of the SCSI connectors on the external
SCSI device.
4To connect other external SCSI devices, daisy-
chain each device to the previous device until all
external SCSI devices have been connected.
Using the LED Connector
(Optional) Most computers have an LED disk activity
light on the front panel. If you disconnect the cable
from the LED connector on the motherboard and
connect it to the LED connector on the host adapter,
the LED on the front panel of the computer will light
whenever there is activity on the SCSI bus.
Reassembling the Computer
Be sure all power switches are OFF, then replace the
computer chassis cover and reconnect the power
cables to your computer and peripherals. Before
turning on your computer and peripherals, review
the following section, Configuring the Host Adapter. It
may be necessary to configure the host adapter.
Configuring the Host Adapter
The AHA-2940Ultra/2940Ultra Wide includes the
onboard, menu-driven SCSISelect configuration util-
ity, which allows you to change host adapter settings
without opening the computer or handling the
board. SCSISelect also contains SCSI disk utilities
that let you low-level format or verify the disk media
of your SCSI hard disk drives.
SCSISelect Default Settings
The AHA-2940Ultra/2940Ultra Wide has the default
settings shown in the table on the following page.
The default settings are appropriate for most PCI
systems. If you do not need to change any of the
default settings, there is no need to run SCSISelect.
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Your host adapter is ready for operation and you can
proceed to Installing Device Drivers on page 10.
For situations where you might want or need to
change the settings, see the descriptions of each set-
ting in the user’s guide. If you need to change any of
the default settings, or if you would like to format or
verify a disk, see Starting the SCSISelect Utility on
page 9 to start the utility.
1 Setting is valid only ifMultiple LUN Support is enabled
2 For AHA-2940Ultra only
3 For AHA-2940Ultra Wide only
4 Settings are valid only if host adapterBIOS is enabled
Basic Host Adapter Settings Default
Host Adapter SCSI ID 7
SCSI Parity Checking Enabled
Host Adapter SCSI Termination Automatic
Boot Device Settings Default
Boot Target ID 0
Boot LUN Number10
SCSI Device Settings Default
Initiate Sync Negotiation Yes (Enabled)
Maximum Sync Transfer Rate 10 MBytes/sec2
20 MBytes/sec3
Enable Disconnection Yes (Enabled)
Initiate Wide Negotiation3Yes (Enabled)
Send Start Unit SCSI Command4No (Disabled)
Advanced Host Adapter Settings Default
Plug and Play SCAM Support Disabled
Host Adapter BIOS Enabled
Support Removable Disks Under BIOS as Fixed Disks4Boot only
Extended BIOS Translation for DOS Drives > 1 GByte4Enabled
Display <Ctrl-A> Message During BIOS Initialization4Enabled
Multiple LUN Support4Disabled
BIOS Support for More Than 2 Drives4Enabled
BIOS Support for Bootable CD-ROM4Enabled
BIOS Support for Int 13 Extensions4Enabled
Support for Ultra SCSI Speed Disabled

9
Starting the SCSISelect Utility
You can start the SCSISelect utility by pressing Ctrl-A
when the following prompt appears at boot time:
Press <Ctrl><A> for SCSISelect (TM) Utility!
The first menu that appears displays the options
Configure/View Host Adapter Settings and SCSI
Disk Utilities.
Using SCSISelect Menus
SCSISelect uses menus to list options you can select.
To select an option, use the ↑ and ↓ keys to move the
cursor to the option, then press Enter.
In some cases, selecting an option displays another
menu. You can return to the previous menu at any
time by pressing Esc. To restore the original
SCSISelect default values, press F6. To toggle the dis-
play between color and monochrome modes, pressF5
(this feature may not work on some kinds of moni-
tors).
Exiting SCSISelect
To exit SCSISelect, press Esc until a message prompts
you to exit (if you changed any AHA-2940Ultra/
2940Ultra Wide settings, you are prompted to save
the changes before you exit). At the prompt, select
Yes to exit, then press any key to reboot the com-
puter. Any changes you made in SCSISelect take
effect after the computer boots.
Using the SCSI Disk Utilities
To access the SCSI disk utilities, select theSCSI Disk
Utilities option from the menu that appears after start-
ing SCSISelect. Once the option is selected, SCSISelect
immediately scans the SCSI bus and displays a list of
all SCSI IDs and the devices assigned to each ID.
When you select a specific ID and device, a small
menu appears, displaying the options Format Disk
and Verify Disk Media.
■Format Disk—This utility allows you to perform
a low-level format on a hard disk drive. Most
SCSI disk devices are preformatted at the factory
and do not need to be formatted again. The