SCSI2SD: Is it worth a try?

[Josh Dersch]

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