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From: sdm@hprnd.HP.COM (Steven Mueller)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs
Subject: Re: SCSI host adapters for ISA bus: wish list: know any contenders?
Message-ID: <3170014@hprnd.HP.COM>
Date: 12 Oct 89 16:45:23 GMT
References: <2303@ttardis.UUCP>
Organization: HP Roseville Networks Division
Lines: 59

The SCSI Host Bus Adaptors (for PC/AT) that I know of generally fall into 
one of two market segments:

      high performance -     16 bit data path on ISA bus
                             on board dma - bus master
                             2-10 Mb/Sec
                             more $$$
                             generally used with high speed disks


      low performance -      8 bit data path on ISA (or XT) bus
                             programmed io
                             ~1 Mb/Sec
                             less $$$
                             generally used with any periph

Some cards include:

Vendor/card                     Perf
====================            ====
Adaptec AHA-1540A               high
Western Digital
     7000-FASST2                high
     WDATXT-FASST               low
Future Domain
     TMC-830                    low
     TMC-860                    low
Rancho Technology
     RT1000                     low
     RT100XT                    low
     RT-AT                      high
Trantor T128                    low


Call the vendor for exact prices, but high perf cards will generally run in the
$300-500 range, low perf cards in the $100-300 range, depending on features.

I also suggest you check out the article in 2 October 1989 PC Week page 22
entitled "SCSI Host Adaptors Save Slots, Set the Stage for Multitasking".


Most of these companies have software driver platforms with drivers available
for many devices.  My recommendation would be to check with the HBA vendors
to find out specifically which devices they support, and use that to choose
your devices.


Please keep in mind that the data above is generalized and I make no claims
about its validity :-)  I want to stress again that, if you want multi-
connectivity to a single HBA today (for PC's), I recommend you talk to the
HBA vendors, because the periph vendors today are generally interested in
supplying a solution for their device only (and that's why a lot of them
bundle an HBA with their device).  If you want any more info, feel free
to contact me.

Steven Mueller
Hewlett Packard                  "Ya babe, talk SCSI to me!"
916-785-4752
sdm%hprnd@hplabs.hp.com