News
Ultra160 SCSI Site Launched
- By Scott Bekker
- August 31, 1999
The official Ultra160 SCSI Web site was launched today with help from the SCSI industry. The Web site serves as a promotional and educational tool for those interested in learning about Ultra160 SCSI technology. The Web site can be found at
www.ultra160-scsi.com.
At 160 MBps, analysts say the latest SCSI specification can offer performance levels equal to, if not greater than, Fibre Channel. Also, SCSI technology isn't expected to peak until 2005. The Ultra160 specification calls for inclusion of three major Ultra3 SCSI technologies: double-edge clocking, CRC and domain validation.
Double-edge clocking allows systems to run faster by doubling the amount of data transfer without increasing clock frequencies. CRC provides extra data protection for marginal cable plants and external devices, ensuring integrity of transferred data. Finally, domain validation tests the storage network to get the right traffic speed.
The Ultra160 boasts a doubling of the Ultra2 SCSI data transfer rate, and products incorporating Ultra160 can test and manage a storage network so that the maximum reliable data transfer rate is used. If reliability is believed to be at risk, the bus will be slowed to a rate that is considered to be reliable. This "host adapter intelligence" is expected to provide more system autonomy and less IT manager involvement.
Vendors supporting the Web site and the SCSI effort include Adaptec Inc., Andataco, Compaq Corp., Fujitsu, IBM Corp., LinFinity, QLogic, Quantum and Western Digital. -- Brian Ploskina
About the Author
Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.