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INTRODUCTION
The Adaptec Ultra320 SCSI Card 39320D is a dual-channel 64-bit, 133 MHz
PCI-X SCSI card that delivers fast, reliable performance for enterprise
servers and external storage using Ultra320 SCSI technology. It empowers
your server or high end system with data transfer rates of up to 320 MByte/sec
per channel for mainline storage, streaming video and audio, and other
bandwidth-intensive applications.
So just what is this Ultra320 technology? Well, Ultra320
SCSI is more than a mere increase in rates from 160 MByte/sec to 320 MByte/sec.
Ultra320 SCSI builds on performance improvements from Ultra160 SCSI’s
performance enhancing features such as Dual Edge Clocking, Domain Validation,
and CRC. Ultra320 SCSI adds features such as Packet Protocol and Quick
Arbitration Select to further improve SCSI performance. The transfer rate
speed of 320 MByte/sec/channel is just one of the many enhancements incorporated
into Ultra320 SCSI. Packet Protocol and QAS (or Quick Arbitration Select)
minimize overhead and enhance bus utilization. Ultra320 SCSI is backward
compatible with previous generations of SCSI.
The advantage of migrating to this new generation
lies in the ability to use older peripherals and devices, and at the same
time having the power needed to access the latest hard disk drives. Ultra320
SCSI’s power and speed are optimal for bandwidth-intensive applications
such as mainline storage and streaming video and audio.
deeper description of technology
320 MByte of data transfer is the theoretical maximum
for this technology. Currently, there is no single peripheral that would
require this speed of transfer. However, a combination of a number of
peripherals operating simultaneously would need an aggregate speed that
Ultra320 SCSI provides. 64-bit refers to the edge connector on the Adaptec
SCSI Card that is designed to fit either a 32-bit PCI slot or the newer
64-bit PCI-X slot. A 64-bit PCI-X slot will allow an Ultra320 SCSI card
to perform at maximum speed. Packetized SCSI involves support for Packet
Protocol, a feature that has been incorporated into the Ultra320 SCSI
design. To allow data, command, and status packets to be transferred in
a single “packet” using dual transition data phase, which
replaces the older asynchronous phase. The net result is a reduction in
command overhead.
So what does fewer drives mean for the IT manager?
It means greater reliability because the system will have
a lower spindle count. The fewer drives means fewer HDAs, less cabling
and lower overall drive cost. It also means less space require to hold
the drives, so it translates into denser performance.
Best fit applications?
Workstations, mid-level to high-end servers, storage area
networks, network attached storage, RAID storage arrays, filing and printing,
EMA/Groupware, databases, data mining, CAD, Data Streaming, and intensive
graphic applications.
installation
The Adaptec SCSI Card 39320D, the two-channel Ultra320 SCSI
controller is as easy to install as any other peripheral in your computer
system. Let see ... how hard could that be? Well, pop your system open,
insert the card into an open PCI slot, close the system. In Windows XP
you'll be asked for drivers for the SCSI card, which can be downloaded
here. One reboot later you are up and running in the wonderful world
of Ultra 320 SCSI!
As far installations go, this card could have been easier!
specifications
The highlights for the card:
| Description |
Dual-channel, 64-bit, 133 MHz, PCI-X,
Ultra320 SCSI card |
| Target Customer |
Mid-range, high-end, and enterprise server configurations
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| Data Transfer Rate |
320 MByte/sec/channel |
| External Connectors |
Two 68-pin VHDCI |
| Internal Connectors |
One 68-pin Ultra320 High-density |
| Bus Type |
64-bit, 133 MHz PCI-X |
| System Requirements |
Intel PC or equivalent with available PCI slot
(2.1 compliant) |
| Warranty |
5 year limited warranty, 2 years tech support
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| Supported Operating Systems |
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Novell NetWare 4.2
Novell NetWare 5.x
Novell NetWare 6.x
SCO UnixWare 7.1
Sun Solaris 8, DOS 6.22
Linux
Caldera Open Unix 8 |
Overall Impressions
Undoubtedly, if you're going to invest thousands of dollars
in high end SCSI hard drives, such as the Seagate Cheetah 15K.3, you must
invest in the best possible controller card that will bring all those
devices together. Worried about having to buy multiple cards because you
have 20 SCSI devices on your enterprise server? Bah! The Adaptec 39320D
can connect up to 30 SCSI peripherals with one card!
Ultra320 technology is really the best thing going for IT
managers anywhere, and those same IT managers are best served investing
in this interface card. Would you protect your servers and high end computer
systems in a generic Ultra320 SCSI card? Of course not!
Adaptec has put together the premium Ultra320 SCSI card
solution, and backed by the best warranty in the industry (a stunning
5 years), this is the best and most cost-effective solution. With such
an easy installation, great performance out of SCSI products, a pretty
decent price point in comparison to other products in its genre, and such
a high usefulness factor, this is a slam dunk Editor's Choice product.
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10 / 10 |
OVERALL SCORE
98%
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10 / 10 |
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9 / 10 |
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10 / 10 |
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10 / 10 |
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9.8 / 10 |
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