SCSI2SD: Is it worth a try?

[Alan Perry]

On 3/18/19 7:22 PM, Josh Dersch via cctalk wrote:
> On Mon, Mar 18, 2019 at 7:16 PM Charles Dickman via cctalk <
> cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
>> What is the experience with the SCSI2SD with old computers? It looks to be
>> SCSI-1 and SCSI-2 compatible and I see a lot of reports of usage on this
>> list. I am curious about how well it works and which version to get.
>>
>> Versions up to 5 seem to be GPLed and reasonably available. V6 does not
>> seem to have schematics or boards open sourced and I haven't seen a
>> supplier for them. The web page lists some sources, but they don't have the
>> V6 available.
>>
>> It looks like the V6 is not open because someone used the design without
>> following the GPL.
>>
>> V6 claims synchronous transfers, but I don't think most of my hardware
>> supports it. That consists of VAXstations and qbus scsi cards. If I was
>> after speed I wouldn't be using old hardware, but the speed has to be
>> consistent with the era.
>>
>> Chuck
>>
> I've been using the V5 boards in a variety of systems for a few years now
> -- VAX (micro-and-otherwise), PDP-11 (via the usual Emulex and CMD
> controllers), Sun-2 and Sun-3 workstations, HP/Apollo 400 systems, a
> Symbolics XL1200, various old Macintosh systems and probably some other
> things I've forgotten.  At LCM+L we're using them in our VAX-11/785 and
> 730, and we're using a V6 in our 7000-640.  I've had very few issues and
> the developer has been very responsive to bug reports (though I'll admit
> it's been a couple of years since I've had to report one).
>
> The V5 is plenty fast for most vintage gear, I don't think they come close
> to hitting the max throughput.  That's what I'd recommend for the systems
> you're talking about.
>
> - Josh
I have only used the V5 boards. I have not tried them on as many systems as
Josh, but otherwise I have had similar position experiences using them. 
I have
been using them on sun4c and sun4m systems.

alan