#SCSI for Exabyte 8500?
12 messages in this thread
I have an Exabyte 8500 tape back-up for the 'Abekas' service deal.
I need to get a SCSI Card. Any Recommendations for use with the ASDG driver.
Will the Adaptec 1505, or 1515, or 1542 be OK? I also have a MediaVision 16-bit
sound card, that has a SCSI built-in. Can I use that.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike C.
Michael,
The Exabyte just requires that you have an ASPI compliant driver for your SCSI
card. The driver has to be windows compatible and most are. BTW PCTools works
just great with the Exabtye. Any of the Adaptec's should be doable. I know the
1542 will. The SCSI on your sound card is probably SCSI-I. You want to get at
leas a SCSI-II, which will give you 500k a minute transfer rate. The ASDG drive
uses ASPI as the interface to Win 32s which is a 32 bit protected mode Windows
interface, thus maximizing performance.
If you want to save some money on a good card, check out Always Technologies.
Stable card easily configurable and comes with Corel SCSI and ASPI drivers. DTC
also makes some nice reasonably priced cards, also with ASPI drivers.
Hope this helps.
Unfortunately, not just ANY of adaptec's boards (even though they have ASPI
drivers) will drive the Exabyte 85xx series, as I have found. Michael SHOULD
be able to get info from Adaptec about which boards will work. Try either
800-934-2766, which is their literature hot-line [M-F:5am-6pm PT], or
408-957-7150 for their interactive fax service [24-hr], or 800-959-SCSI [7274]
for tech support [M-Th:6am-5pm PT, F:6am-3pm PT].
Dave
David,
>> not just ANY of adaptec's boards will drive the 85xx series, as I have
found. <<
Excuse me but I did not say ANY, I said any of the 1500 series Adaptec's Mike
listed, preferably the 1542, and we are talking about the Exabyte 8500 not the
8505.
The 8505 is a different beast because it has a higher transfer rate and storage
capacity.
I have an 8500 and it will even work with some SCSI-1 controllers,
which is one of the reasons I like the 8500 better, it is more
tolerant, not to mention that it is more universally accepted as a
format. As far as ASPI goes, that is a requirement for working with
the ASDG software not for working with the controller.
He can also call Exabyte direct at 1-303-442-4333.
John:
Thanks for the correction/additional info!
Dave
No problem Dave, I do try to keep it all straight but like anybody I can make
the occassional error. Better safe than sorry.
John
PMJI,
You commented that the 8500 is a more universally accepted format. I've
been considering the 8505XL. Exabyte sales says that it can emulate the 8500
format/completely compatible. Any idea if this is true?
JDH
Jeffrey,
While its true that 8505 can emulate the 8500, alot more place have 8500's
which can't emulate the 8505. In the case of Abekas for instance there are a
special set of drivers which many places haven't acquired. That of course is a
concern.
I buy regular 8mm video tape for $5 a pop, whereas with the 8505 you really
need to get data grade tape, which is several times more expensive. This is
because of the high compression. And the Abekas can't hold 5 gigs wo+rth of
images anyway. Maybe somebody has an array that will but the standard is one
minute.
If you plan to physically hook your unit up rather than send a tape you're
likely to find the 8500 more universally acceptable. Some people have
compatibility problems with SCSI devices with the 8505. I have 3 different
kinds and the 8500 works with all of them. But its not as fast as the 8505,
although its a heck of alot faster than my network, which I also use it to
backup. There are pro and cons to each but alot of people in the print world
swear by the 8500 and its easily hookup able to an Abekas, so that was my
choice. Its also full height as opposed to the 8505 which is half height,
which some people object to. I've got mine external and its a solid drive.
John
John,
Thanks much for the reply. I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.
>> true that 8505 can emulate the 8500, alot more place have 8500's which
>> can't emulate the 8505.
If I'm understanding, the point here is I can send them a tape but they can't
send me one? If so that wouldn't be an issue for me. My concerns are for backup
(that is why I'm leaning towards 8505XL: more space and faster) and of course
the Abekas connection.
>> In the case of Abekas for instance there are a special set of drivers
>> which many places haven't acquired.
I'm not sure how this applies. Are these drivers used to hook an 8505XL
directly to the Abekas? I thought (silly me) that if I can create an Abekas
format tape in the 8505 (emulating the 8500 if necessary) and send the 8mm tape
to an Abekas capable Service Bureau all would be peachykeen… not so? Seems
like I might need more info from my Service Bureau. Any suggestions on things I
should ask for more specifics on that maybe isn't covered here?
Thanks again,
JDH
Jeffrey,
>> alot more places have 8500's which can't emulate the 8505. <<
Sorry if I'm not being clear. Alot more places have 8500's so as long as you
write out in 8500 format you won't have a problem, assuming you're sending the
tape out. The problem is if you keep your files in 8505 format the 8500 can't
read them. The way to get around this is store them in 8500 format. To me that
kind of defeats the purpose of having an 8505. But… if you're just using it
for backup, this won't be a problem.
If you're taking the unit to hook up to an A60, A65 or A66 there are already
drivers to run the 8500. They incorporated this feature to backup Abekas disk
arrays. Many places haven't incorporated drivers to read 8505, either don't
have one or have an 8500. So you won't be able to walk up and hook you 8505 to
their system and let it stream.
If you send a place a video say and want them to stream it to tape off an
Abekas your 8505 will read it.
My overall point here is that the 8500 is more convienent for use with Abekas
DDR's in terms of plug and play, more convienent in terms of compatibility with
PC SCSI controllers and more convienent in terms of file handling when working
with DDR's. Less expensive in terms of tape stock which is more readily
available. If you just need a fast backup then the additional $1200 may be
worth it.
John
John,
Your points are well taken, and your detailed reply much appreciated!
I've gotten prices for the 8505XL internal of around $1850 and have been
told by the dealers I've reached thru Computer Shopper that the 8500 is no
longer available (Exabyte sales said it is being discontinued). This would
imply approx $650 for the 8500 (using your estimate of $1200 difference) if I
can find one and should I decide to go that route. Sound about right? Thanks
again for your time.
JDH
I use the Adaptec PCI SCSI adapter and it works great. The VLB
version also works.