SCSI to USB

[Michael]

Hello all,

Is there such thing as a SCSI U160 (68 pin) to USB? I have found Ultra SCSI (50 pin) to USB.

Alternatively (in theory) I could get a U160 68 pin to Ultra SCSI 50 pin adapter, then from this adapter to USB. Unless anyone has a better idea? Many thanks!

[matt40k]

Ultra SCSI 50 pin is SLOOOW. Why you want Ultra 160?

PS: Where did you find the adapter to usb? Been looking for a while now.

[Michael]

It's for a tape drive which is U160. This is the Ultra SCSI adapter I found.

[Dos_Box]

You'd be backing up forever over USB!

[Michael]

Well I have not tried in practice, but I see no reason why it should slow down. It's a Quantum DLT-V4 capable of 10MB/s or 20MB/s compressed. Well within SCSI 2 and USB limits.
The drivers are installed OK and Windows sees it OK too. It's currently installed using an Adaptec 29160 64Bit card which also has its drivers installed and Windows lists it in Device Manager.

When it comes to backing up, I navigate to Computer Management > Storage > Removable Storage > Media Pools > Free > DLT and the tape is listed. I then mark it as 'Free' and it informs me all data will be deleted, so I click OK.

When I run NTBackup, I make my selection, label the backup, but then it informs me no free media is available. It's even listed as free within NTBackup. Any ideas?

The Quantum DLT-V4 was working fine in another server, but wasn't using the Adaptec 29160 so I suspect this is the culprit. Looking in Device Manager it reports the error: The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Scsi\adpu160m1 which must be the Adaptec as the rest of the server is SATA2 based.

[Michael]

On closer inspection of the Adaptec 29160, it appears it has both a 68pin SCSI and a 68pin LVD (Low Voltage Differential). LVD uses 3v instead of the normal v5 Looking on Quantum's website, it appears the tape drive uses 5v! This is most likely the problem - what do you think?

[Michael]

Update (for those interested) I powered down the server, moved the SCSI ribbon cable to the normal SCSI (which supplies 5v instead of SCSI LVD which supplies 3v), but I also had a look at the SCSI ID of the drive. I didn't recognise which ID it was setup as, so I configured it to SCSI ID6 (with the Adaptec being SCSI ID7) and this appears to have done the trick.

The tape drive works properly in Windows (displaying tape status), but also works properly with NTBackup phew!

[matt40k]

Until you upgrade to Windows 2008 Server

[Michael]

Until you upgrade to Windows 2008 Server

Yeah I know, tell me about it I'll have to invest in some third party software, or deploy a NAS I suppose.

[matt40k]

Novabackup pretty good, backup exec if not.

Still... I want my ntbackup with tape support... just waiting for the free addin

[Michael]

Still... I want my ntbackup with tape support... just waiting for the free addin

Alternatively there's nothing stopping you having a 2008 DC with a 2003 member server. You could then backup drives across the network.

[matt40k]

Alternatively there's nothing stopping you having a 2008 DC with a 2003 member server. You could then backup drives across the network.

Fancy donating to the "Matt Smith needs a Windows 2003 member server as he wants to "upgrade" to Windows 2008 Server fund" ?

[Michael]

Didn't you know there's a recession? The news is so depressing at the moment!

[matt40k]

Yes, well that will help boost the economy!! Besides, you've saved not buy that USB cable... think you should be able donate £50 at least!

[Michael]

I'm sure I could dig out a 386 somewhere for you It probably has a 50MB hard drive Are you really that keen to adopt Server 2008? I still haven't had the need (as yet).