WiebeTech RP-PCIE-SCSI, Red Port SCSI User Manual

Red Port™ SCSI

USER’S MANUAL

Revised December 14, 2006

Features

• Automatically write-blocks any attached SCSI device for safe, read­only data retrieval

• Fast Ultra-320 SCSI interface (with support for legacy SCSI
products

• Up to 320 MB/s per channel data transfer rates

• Dual independent SCSI channels

• x4 PCI Express host connectivity

• Exclusive Advanced Data Streaming (ADS™) Technology

• Driver support for Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Red Hat Linux,

and SuSE Linux

• Supports up to 30 SCSI bus IDs and 12 meter cable lengths

• RoHS compliant

Forensic Device User Advisory

We recommend that you perform a final check on your RedPort card.
Prior to first use, please verify that the write-blocking function of this product is working properly. This is

easily done: attach a SCSI storage device known to be in working order. It should contain a drive (or
drives) that you are willing to overwrite. Verify that the volume mounts properly on your computer.
Transfer files to the SCSI device. The files will appear to transfer to the drive. When the process is
complete, eject and then remount the volume. The files that you wrote to the SCSI device should not
appear after the device is remounted. If they do appear, there is a problem with your RedPort card, and
you should contact our support department for further instructions.

WiebeTech support may be reached at:

[phone] (toll free)
[phone] (international)
[phone] (fax)

[e-mail] (email)

Table of Contents

Hardware Installation 2
Cables and Termination 3
Driver & Firmware Installation 5
Glossary 7
Technical Specifications 9
Standards and Compliances 10
Contact Information 11

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Hardware Installation

Install the RedPort write-blocking host adapter and attach your SCSI devices to it using the instructions
below.

Package Contents

The RedPort host adapter package contains the host adapter and a CD contai ning drivers, user manuals,
and warranty information.

System Requirements

To install and use RedPort SCSI you will need:

• A computer with an available x4 PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slot or larger, such as x8 or x16.

• An operating system supported by the card’s drivers. See Technical Specifications for a list of

Installation Steps

1. Plan your SCSI device connections. If connecting both internal and external devices to the RedPort

card, be sure to have the appropriate cables to connect devices.

2. Set SCSI device termination. Devices at both ends of the SCSI bus must be terminated.

Devices in the middle of the bus, including the RedPort card, must have termination removed or disabled.
RedPort cards select the proper termination if left in auto termination mode.

3. Set SCSI IDs. Each device on the SCSI bus requires a unique SCSI ID, one different from the host

adapter ID. The default setting for the RedPort card is 7. If you need to change this setting, refer to the
ExpressPCI Utilities Installation and Operation manual. You may also need to determine and change the
current SCSI ID on the SCSI device(s) you are attaching to the RedPort card. Wide (16-bit) SCSI devices
can be assigned IDs 0 to 7 and 8 to 15, while Narrow (8-bit) devices can only be assigned IDs ranging
from 0 to 7.

4. Review system documentation to select an appropriate slot to install your adapter. The combined

power consumption of the expansion slots must not exceed the limits for your system. If you have more
than one expansion card installed, ensure power consumption is within the limits outlined for your system.

5. Power down the computer and unplug the computer from all power source s.

6. Open the case.

7. Install the adapter in any open PCI expansion slot. Consult your computer’s documentation if you have

questions about how to install an expansion card in your system.

8. Connect SCSI devices by inserting a SCSI cable to the connector on the RedPort host adapter until

you hear a click. The next section contains information on selecting cables.

WARNING: RedPort host adapters contain c
that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ES
can cause damage to the host adapter. Please follow
standard methods to avoid ESD.

supported operating systems.

omponents

D). ESD

WARNING: Remember to back up
your system data before changing
or installing hardware.

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9. Close the computer case and power it up.

RedPort host adapters come preconfigured to operate properly in a variety of common system setups.
However, some systems may benefit by tuning the adapter for optimal performance. Refer to the ATTO
ExpressPCI Utilities Installation and Operation manual for more information on changing host adapter
settings.

Cables and Termination

Cables and devices must be chosen to maximize performance and minimize the electrical noise from the
high-speed data transfers available with the SCSI protocol. Cabling and termination methods become
important considerations.

Exhibit 1 The following table lists the maximum number of devices you may connect at specific cable distances using
differential and single-ended SCSI in various SCSI environments.

Setting up cables and termination

Use high quality Ultra 320-rated, well-insulated SCSI cables to ensure error free communications.

Exhibit 2 Several internal and external cable connectors

The ExpressPCI Ultra320 SCSI host adapter supports two types of SCSI signaling: Low Voltage
Differential (LVD) and Single-Ended. Devices on the same SCSI bus must use the same signaling, either
LVD or Single-Ended.

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1. Determine whether you are using a single channel or dual channel host adapter model. One external

connector indicates a single channel host adapter; two external connectors indicate a dual channel host
adapter.

2. Determine if SCSI devices are going to be installed internally or externally.

• Total bus cable length varies by host adapter and type of attached devices. Refer to Exhibit 1 for
details on maximum cable length.

• If you combine Wide 16-bit and Narrow 8-bit devices on the same connector, connect the Wid e
devices first (closest to the connector).

• Refer to the documentation for your SCSI devices to determine if they are Wide or Narrow,
UltraWIDE SCSI, Ultra2 SCSI, Ultra160 or Ultra 320.

3. Determine which terminator to use

• Use an LVD terminator if you are only using LVD devices. Although you can use a Single-Ended
terminator, all devices will be limited to Ultra SCSI speeds. Single-Ended devices require a Single­Ended terminator. If you use an LVD terminator with Single-Ended devices, the system may hang
or devices may not be seen on the SCSI bus. Some termination manufacturers provide
automatically sensing terminators.

• External terminators should be attached to the last external device in the SCSI chain. Don’t use
any other termination on the external SCSI chain. The last device on an internal SCSI chain
should also be terminated in one of several ways. Many Single-Ended Ultra SCSI and earlier
devices provide a jumper setting for applying termination: place a jumper over the pins designated
for termination on the last device on the internal cable. Check with your drive manufacturer if you
are not sure which pins to use.

• LVD Ultra2 and Ultra160 SCSI devices cannot supply their own termination. Use an internal ribbon
cable which has a SCSI terminator attached to the end of it, connect the unterminated end of the
cable to the host adapter card and the internal drives to the subsequent connectors. The
terminator should be at the opposite end of the cable from the host adapter card.

• Wide (16-bit) and Narrow (8-bit) devices can be connected together on the same connector of the
host adapter card, but wide devices must be attached first, followed by narrow devices. To
terminate the SCSI bus, the cable or adapter used to convert from a wide (68-pin) connector to a
narrow (50-pin) connector provides partial termination, allowing upper 8-bits (or byte) of the wide
SCSI bus to be properly terminated. A narrow terminator should be used on the last narrow
device to terminate the rest of the SCSI bus. A SCSI bus without partial termination between the
wide and narrow devices may at first appear to work correctly, but occasional I/O errors occur
without proper termination.

• If you use both internal and external connectors and mix Single-Ended and LVD devices on the
same bus, even if using different connectors, the host adapter card will operate with Single-Ended
signaling at UltraSCSI speeds.

• Automatic termination – When both internal and external connectors are used, the host adapter
card detects the presence of devices and turns off termination. If devices are removed from one
connector of the card, the host adapter automatically detects the change, and enables its own
termination.

• Software controlled termination – You may have to override the host adapter’s automatic
termination if only narrow devices are attached to one connector and wide devices are attached to
the other connector on the same bus. The host adapter must supply partial termination to the
upper 8-bits (byte), but not automatically. Please refer to your ExpressPCI Utilities manual for
instructions on setting the host adapter’s termination to Upper Byte.

• Termination power – Host adapters supply termination power to the bus at all times and many
SCSI devices are also able to supply termination power. SCSI signal quality, particularly with long
or marginal quality cables, may be improved if the device supplies the termination power. Contact
your device manufacturer for more information on your device’s ability to supply termination
power.

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Installing Drivers

After installing the RedPort host adapter, you must configure your system to recognize and use it by
installing drivers for your operating system.

After installing the RedPort card, you must configure your system to recognize and use it by:

• installing drivers for your operating system

• updating the adapter firmware if necessary

RedPort cards ship with the latest firmware installed. If you are performing a new adapter installation, you
do not need to update the firmware. If you are upgrading a previously installed driver, update the adapter
firmware to ensure proper operation.

1. Go to the Support Downloads menu item in the ATTO Technology website, www.attotech.com.

2. In the ExpressPCI Host Adapters menu item, find your ExpressPCI adapter and click on Download.

WiebeTech’s RedPort™ SCSI was designed in partnership with ATTO Technol ogy, and is based on
ATTO’s ExpressPCI UL5D hardware. This is the model you should choose from the menu.

3. Find your operating system menu item

• Windows ExpressPCI Drivers

• Linux Support for ExpressPCI patches for the LSI Logic Fusion-MPT driver in the Linux 2.4 and

2.6 kernels

4. Download the appropriate driver. Release notes and installation instructions are included in the

download packages.

5. Follow the installation instructions.

6. Update the adapter firmware using the ATTO Configuration Tool or the ExpressPCI BIOS Setup Utility.

Refer to

Use the ATTO Configuration Tool and Use the ExpressPCI BIOS Setup Utility in the next section.

NOTE: If you already have one or more
ExpressPCI adapters installed and you are
installing additional adapter(s), you do not need
to perform any of these procedures unless you
are updating a previously installed driver.

Updating Hardware Flash

RedPort cards ship with the latest firmware installed. If you are performing a new adapter installation, you
do not need to update the firmware. If you are upgrading a previously installed driver, update the adapter
firmware to ensure proper operation.

Visit the ATTO Technology website,

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www.attotech.com, for the latest drivers and firmware.

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Use the ATTO Configuration Tool

1. Download the most recent version of the Configuration Tool from the ATTO web site,

www.attotech.com. Refer to the ATTO Utilities Installation and Operation Manual for additional

information on downloading and using the Configuration Tool.

2. Download the flash bundle for your adapter from the ATTO web site and extract them to your desktop.

3. Install the Configuration Tool on your system.

4. Launch the Configuration Tool.

5. In the Device window, select your adapter

6. In the Flash window, click on the Browse button to find the flash bundle that you previously

downloaded to your desktop.

7. Click Update to update your flash ROM.

8. Reboot your system for the flash changes to take effect.

Use the ExpressPCI BIOS Setup Utility

1. Download the latest Windows driver package from

the ATTO Technology website.

NOTE: BIOS utilities are not
available on Itanium systems. Use
the ATTO Configuration Tool to
update flash on Itanium systems.

2. Run makedisk.bat in the Windows driver package and follow the instructions for creating the driver

floppy disk.

3. Reboot the PC.

4. During the reboot, an ATTO Technology banner displays that the host adapter is detected.

5. Enter Control-Z when prompted to begin the setup utility within a few seconds after the banner

appears. If you do not enter Control-Z soon enough after the banner appears, repeat steps 3-5.

6. In the utility, select the Adapter Menu.

7. Select the Upgrade Flash ROM option.

8. Insert the driver disk from step 1 into the floppy drive.

9. Follow the on-screen instructions.

10. Remove the disk and reboot your system for the flash ROM changes to take effect.

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Glossary

Some terms used in the storage industry are defined below. More information is available through the
ATTO Technology website (www.attotech.com) and the SCSI Trade Association (www.scsita.org).

Term Definition

ANSI American National Standards Institute
Asynchronous

Information Protection
Bit
Byte An ordered set of 8 bits

CRC

destination address

domain validation

double transition
clocking

flow control

host

HVD

AIP: although most Ultra320 traffic is sent synchronously and protected by
CRC, some information is still sent asynchronously. AIP implements CRC-level
error checking on asynchronous traffic ensuring end-to-end data in tegrity.
Smallest unit of data a computer can process: a single binary digit with a value
of either 0 or 1

Cyclic Redundancy Checking, an error-correcting code which calculates a
numeric value for received and transmitted data. If no error has occurred during
transmission, the CRC for both received and transmitted data should be the
same.
A value in the frame header of each frame which identifies the port in the node
where the frame is being sent
Before sending data, domain validation verifies that the physical connection is
capable of handling the negotiated transfer speed. If the system determines that
Ultra320 speeds are not feasible, a slower speed is enforced.
Increases the data line frequency to equal that of the request signal, allowing
sampling on both the leading and trailing edges of the request signal. Clocking
can be set to ensure compatibility with legacy devices.
The target indicates to the initiator when the last packet of a data stream will be
transferred so that the initiator can flush FIFOs and terminate pre-fetch sooner
than previously possible. Basically, the target warns the initiator that the transfer
is almost complete so that it can prepare for the next transfer while the target
completes the current transfer.
A processor, usually a CPU and memory, which communicates with devices
over an interface
High voltage differential: uses two wires, transmitting a signal on one and its
inverse on the other. At the receiving end, the difference between the two
signals is measured and interpreted. Noise on the bus will affect both the signal
and its inverse equally, so the difference between the two lines will remain the
same and the noise cannot be misread as a signal.

initiator device A component which originates a command

Light-emitting diode: a type of diode that emits light when current passes

LED

LVD

originator An initiating device; a component which originates a command

packetization

through it. Visible LEDs are used as indicator lights on all sorts of electronic
devices.
Low voltage differential. SCSI signaling method that combines the benefits of
HVD and single-ended technologies, allowing longer cabling configurations
while consuming less power than HVD technology.

Creates information units (IUs) from commands, data, status information, etc.
which are passed as synchronous transfers. Maximizes bus use, minimizes
command overhead and allows multiple commands to be transferred in a single
connection.

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Although SCSI transfer speeds have changed dramatically over the past
several generations, cable specifications have remained constant. Higher speed

pre-compensation

Quick Arbitration
Select (QAS)
Arbitration

read and write data
streaming

receiver The ultimate destination of data transmission; a terminal device

SCSI

single-ended

training pattern

and frequency signals have a greater potential for reflection and distortion ove r
distance. Pre-compensation techniques slightly modify the SCSI signal to
reduce the chance of these types of problems.
The process of devices negotiating for control of the bus with built-in “quiet
times” so that fast and legacy devices have an opportunity to take control of the
bus. A fair, but somewhat inefficient process, QAS speeds up the arbitration
process by eliminating the bus free phase. When combined with packetization,
reduces command overhead and maximizes bus use.
Minimizes data transfer overhead by allowing a target to send one data stream
(LQ) packet followed by multiple data packets. Minimizes overhead of data
transfers because the target can send one data stream packet followed by
multiple data packets.

Small Computer Systems Interface: a processor-independent standard for
system-level interface between a computer and intelligent devices including
hard disks, floppy disks, CDROM, printers, scanners, etc.
An electrical signal protocol that transmits information through changes in
voltage. Single ended SCSI uses standard TTL signal and ground pairs to
transmit information over the SCSI bus.
SCSI is a parallel bus technology that is dependent on signals being transmitted
on parallel wires simultaneously. At higher speeds, minute differences in wire
lengths and transmission characteristics could cause problems. Training pattern
testing measures these minute differences and compensates for them.

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Technical Specifications for RedPort SCSI

Hardware Specifications

• 320 MB/sec. per channel data-transfer rates

• Two (2) external VHDCI and two (2) internal high-density connectors per channel

SCSI Interface

Advanced SCSI

General Characteristics

Software Specifications

Driver Support

Advanced Data Streaming
(ADS™)

Host Bus Specifications

• Low Voltage Differential (LVD) signaling

• Support for tagged command queuing

• Backward compatible with Ultra160, Ultra2, Ultra/WIDE, Fast/WIDE & Narrow SCSI
devices

• Double transition clocking

• Domain validation

• Cyclical Redundancy Checking (CRC)

• Packetization

• Quick Arbitration Select (QAS)

• Automatic termination

• Upper-byte termination for Narrow devices

• Flash ROM for easy field upgrades

• Plug and play compatible

• Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003

• Linux (Red Hat and SuSE)

• Improved PCI system bandwidth use

• Optimized SCSI-3 algorithms

• Tagged command queuing

• Embedded RISC I/O processor

• x4 PCI Express interconnect

• Supports PCI Express Base Spec 1.0a

• Supports PCI Express CEM Spec 1.0a

• PCI Express to PCI/PCI-X Bridge spec 1.0

• ASPI compliant (for PC users)

• Bootable from attached disks

• Support for disconnect/reconnect

• Support for multiple block sizes

Compliancy

• FCC Rules, Part 15 Sub-Part B, Class A

Safety and Environmental

• CE Mark: CISPR 22 / EN 55022, Class A

• RoHS Compliant

Environmental & Physical Specifications

Dimensions
Shipping Weight

Operating Environment

Reliability

Power

• Length 7.5”

• Height 4.376”

• 1 pound

• Temperature: 0-45° C

• Humidity: 10-90% non-condensing

• Airflow: 100 LFM (min)

• MTBF = 150,000 hours

• MTTR < 15 Minutes

• 1.61 typical/ 2.03 max. Amps @ + 3.3 VDC • 0.65 typical/ 1.46 Amps @ + 12.0 VDC

Ordering Information

Model Number

• RP-PCIE-SCSI

Warranty

• 2-year limited warranty. See warranty statement for details and limitations.

Warranty

WiebeTech offers free phone support for 90 days after purchase (1-866-744-8722).
After 90 days, email support is available at

[e-mail].

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Standards and compliances

The equipment described in this manual generates and uses radio frequency energy. The Technical
Specification sheet for a particular ATTO ExpressPCI host bus adapter list certifications for that model.

FCC standards: radio and television interference

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits

are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy an d,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Canadian standards

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

European standards

Declaration of Conformity

This following statement applies to the ATTO ExpressPCI host bus adapter.
This device has been tested in the basic operating configuration and found to be compliant with the
following European Union standards:

• Application of Council Directive: 89/336/EEC

• Standard(s) to which conformity is declared: EN55024:1998

This Declaration will only be valid when this product is used in conjunction with other CE approved
devices and when the entire system is tested to the applicable CE standards and found to be compliant.

The EPCI-UL4D-0R0, EPCI-UL4S-0R0, EPCI-UL5D-0R0 and EPCI-UL5DL00 comply
with Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS).

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Contact Information

Contact ATTO Technology, Inc.

Customer service, sales information and technical support are available by phone Monday through
Friday, Eastern Standard Time 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or by e-mail and web site 24-hours a day.

ATTO Technology, Inc.
155 CrossPoint Parkway
Amherst, New York 14068
[phone] • voice
[phone] • fax

http://www.attotech.com

ATTO Technology can also be reached via e-mail at the following addresses:
Sales Support:

Technical Support: [e-mail]

Contact WiebeTech LLC

If you have any questions or problems, please contact [e-mail] for technical support. If
you are interested in purchasing more WiebeTech products, check our website or contact

[e-mail]. We appreciate being able to serve you!

RedPort is a trademark of WiebeTech LLC. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2006 WiebeTech LLC. All rights reserved.

[e-mail]

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