Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!nstn.ns.ca!news.cs.indiana.edu!spool.mu.edu!mips!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!uicvm.uic.edu!u39648
From: U39648@uicvm.uic.edu (Darius Vaskelis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware
Subject: Re: MCA SCSI controllers ?
Message-ID: <91143.075027U39648@uicvm.uic.edu>
Date: 23 May 91 12:50:27 GMT
References: <1991May22.164103.1@cc.helsinki.fi>
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Lines: 36

>So, any info is appreciated (price, experiences, performance). BTW,
>are the IBM ones both bus-masters and could the one with 32-bit
>interface be used in a model 60 (16-bit) ?

Both IBM SCSI controllers are bus-masters, and both work in 16-bit or
32-bit slots.  One only uses a 16-bit data path and has no cache, and
one uses a 32-bit data path and has a 512K cache.  Both are VERY fast.

I have no experience with the Procom SCSI, but there are MANY 3rd party
SCSI adapters available.  As your local IBM rep to get you the entire
list from the Micro Channel catalog.  The only-non IBM one I've seen
was the Future Domain one.  It's 16-bit, no cache, and a slave (non-
bus-master).

It worked and seemed speedy, but I like the IBM 16-bit one over it
because it's in the same price range (~$300 US educational price)
and offers a bus-master.  IBM's controller is also VERY easy to use
from the reference disk without any fussing at all.  Just plop on
a couple SCSI devices, power up auto-configuration from the reference,
and wala.  Done.  Need to low-level format them?  Press Control-A and
select format fixed disk, and you get a nice menu like this:

Select fixed disk:

1. IBM 60MB Fixed Disk
2. SEAGATE 48MB Fixed Disk

Not bad in my eyes.

- Darius
=========================================================================
   BITNET: U39648@UICVM             | "I'd rather laugh with the sinners
 Internet: u39648@uicvm.uic.edu     |         than cry with the saints,
====================================|  the sinners are much more fun,
  "Don't set fire to strangers."    |  and only the good die young."
  - Mr. Zarniwoop                   |  - Billy Joel