HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
SCSI/Console/LAN Card Interface to HP 3000 Series 9x7 and 9x7LX Systems by Dave Kuntz Roseville Networks Division PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The HP 3000 Series 9x7 and 9x7LX systems ship with a factory preloaded multifunction I/O card. This double-high precision bus interface provides single-ended small computer systems interface (SCSI), a local and remote console interface, access port functions, and LAN on a single card. The single-ended SCSI is the interface module used to interconnect the system's mass storage devices. SCSI has become the industry standard method for high-speed disk I/O. This multifunction I/O card uses a special connector on the backplane and a ribbon cable to communicate with the embedded devices, and has a SCSI-2 type of 50-pin high-density connector for add-on external devices. This external connector can accept 50-pin high-density (HD) connectors using either a spring latch or a screw-down retention scheme. DEVICE CONNECTORS Most add-on SCSI devices today still use the SCSI-1 type of low-density (LD) connector with bail-lock retention. Hewlett-Packard sells two cables that accommodates the difference. The K2296 is a 1.0 meter 50-pin HD to 50-pin LD cable, and the K2297 is the same cable, except 1.5 meters long. SCSI is different than HP-IB. One important difference is that the bus must be terminated on both ends. Most peripherals have a SCSI-in and a SCSI-out connector. Devices can be connected to one another provided that the output of one goes to the input of the other. The last device in the bus must have its "out" connector terminated. The HP 3000 Series 9x7 and 9x7LX systems come with a 50-pin high-density terminator used on the card if no external SCSI devices are attached. Hewlett-Packard also sells several types of terminators. The most common terminator for add-on SCSI devices will likely be a 50-pin low-density terminator with bail-lock retention. It has the CPS product number K2291. PORT CONNECTIONS The console portion of the multifunction card provides two RS232-C interfaces. The six-pin circular port is used for local console connection, and the 25-pin port is reserved for use as a support modem. The modem port also supports V.22bis/V.25bis modems, which are quickly becoming popular in Europe. The local console cable is provided with the HP 3000 Series 9x7 and 9x7LX systems; however, the appropriate modem cable is provided by the support organization when Remote Support or Predictive Support is ordered. The modem port supports the existing U.S. and European modem cables; however, to take advantage of the V.22bis/V.25bis modems, a special cable (A1703-63006) must be ordered. These two ports also provide local and remote access port capability. The access port gives the console operator the ability to read system status and to generate system resets through the console terminal instead of through use of the system's front panel display and switches. This multifunction interface replaces the previous two-card CIO access port solution used in PA-RISC machines and greatly simplifies the console cabling. The remote console has the ability to be connected in parallel with the local console terminal. This provides the same system support functionality to a remote terminal as that of a console operator sitting next to the system. LAN INTERFACE This assembly also provides 802.3 Local Area Network (LAN) capability. It is used for both terminal communication using the DTCs and system-to-system communication. The interface comes preconfigured to use the built-in ThinLAN transceiver. If there is a desire to connect to other than thin coax cable, the card must be reconfigured to use the AUI port. This is done using a hardware jumper. In this case the appropriate external transceiver and network accessories must be purchased separately.