FAQ: Considerations for Ratoc's FireWire and USB 2.

0 to SCSI Adapters
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SCSI long ruled the performance peripheral category for storage and other devices. With many advantages over competing
busses, including flexibility, speed, and reliability, SCSI devices are found everywhere. However, as computing platforms move
towards cheaper internal busses and serial busses in general, finding SCSI host adapters capable of interfacing with older SCSI
devices has become difficult. SCSI itself is transitioning to SAS (Serial Attached SCSI). On the newer desktop realm, the few PCIe
SCSI host adapters are expensive. For newer laptops, there aren't any ExpressCard to SCSI host adapters we are aware of. This
brings us to SCSI host adapters utilizing external busses like high performance FireWire and prosaic USB. While Ratoc's FireWire
and USB to SCSI adapters have been on the market for quite some time, they are beginning to grow in popularity since they are
an inexpensive and accessible way to work with older SCSI devices. This document is intended to clear up some of the confusion
over deploying Ratoc adapters with SCSI devices.

Contents
Termination Power or Term Power
SCSI Connectors
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a HD50F
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a C50F
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a HD68F
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a DB25F
Using the Ratoc host adapters with other types of SCSI connectors
Important FR1SX FireWire to Ultra SCSI Information
Important U2SCX USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI Information
Important U2SCX-LVD USB 2.0 to Ultra Wide SCSI Information
More Useful SCSI Information

FIREWIRE TO ULTRA SCSI USB TO ULTRA SCSI

FW-USCSI-01
Ratoc FireWire to Ultra SCSI Converter
FireWire to Ultra SCSI adapters have the
advantage of a much faster host
connection than USB, and FireWire is
superior to USB in every regard.
USB-USCSI-01
Ratoc USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI Converter
USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI adapters can be
used with a number of SCSI devices.

USB TO ULTRA WIDE SCSI

USB-UWSCSI-01
Ratoc USB 2.0 to Ultra Wide SCSI
Converter U2SCX-LVD
USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI adapters can be
used with Ultra Wide SCSI Devices.

Ratoc offers three SCSI host adapter models: The FR1SX (FW-USCSI-01) FireWire to Ultra SCSI, the U2SCX (USB-USCSI-01) USB
to Ultra SCSI, and the U2SCX-LVD (USB-UWSCSI-01) USB to Ultra Wide SCSI. The FR1SX and U2SCX feature a HD-50 connector
and are native Ultra SCSI devices. They are backwards and forward compatible with many other SCSI standards when used with
connector adapters. While both rated to handle Ultra SCSI throughput of 20MB/s, the FR1SX tends to realize much better
sustained throughput since FireWire isn't hampered by USB 2.0's CPU utilization overhead. The U2SCX-LVD features a HD-68
connector and is a native Ultra Wide SCSI device. It is also backward and forward compatible with many other SCSI standards
when used with connector adapters. U2SCX-LVD is rated as handling Ultra Wide SCSI throughput of 40MB/s, however this
maximum is doubtful since nearly any real world benchmark of USB 2.0 sustained throughput maxes out at around 33MB/s.
That said, it is faster than the U2SCX, albeit considerably more expensive. When the better performance of the U2SCX-LVD isn't
paramount, many customers prefer the U2SCX with a High Density 50F to High Density 68M Adapter combination over the
U2SCX-LVD since is over $150 cheaper.
Termination Power or Term Power
All Ratoc SCSI host adapters require power to operate. That power is supplied either by an optional (purchased separately) AC
adapter, or through drawing power off the SCSI buses' Term Power. In order to use Term Power, the SCSI device the Ratoc
adapter is connected to must provide it. This invariably brings up two questions: what is Term Power, and does my device
provide it? Answering the first question, according to the SCSI Trade Association:

"Terminators are powered from the "term power" line on the SCSI bus. Term power can come from any device
on the bus, and is provided by either the host, a drive on the bus, the backplane, or any combination thereof.
Term power is provided through a diode and fuse - historically - the drop across the diode and cable allows
for a term power range of 4.0 to 5.25 volts."

As for the second question one must consult with the SCSI device's manufacturer or documentation. If the SCSI device doesn't
provide Termination Power, then purchase the optional PS-5V2A 5VDC 2A External Power Supply/Adapter ST (USB/SCSI) power
supply, or find an AC adapter with the same specifications at a local supplier.
SCSI Connectors
There has been a whole range of SCSI connectors over the years. Part of the confusion people run into is that there is overlap
between SCSI standards and connectors. In other words, several connectors are applicable to single SCSI standards. As this
document focuses on device compatibility with Ratoc SCSI adapters, it will not address internal SCSI connectors. While roughly
ten different external SCSI connectors exist, there are four in particular that are the most commonly found. The following
drawings depict the four more common SCSI connectors with the types featured on Ratoc's host adapters indicated in
parenthesis.

If your SCSI device's connection doesn't match the connector present on a Ratoc host adapter, then a low cost adapter plug
employed between the connectors will allow its use. Synchrotech carries three types of adapters that take the FR1SX and U2SCX
HD-50 connector and provide an alternate connector on the other side. Synchrotech doesn't stock any converters for the
U2SCX-LVD since it is typically used with 68-pin LVD type devices to begin with.
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a HD50F
Ratoc's FR1SX or U2SCX plug directly into SCSI devices featuring female HD50 (50 pin) connectors.
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a C50F
To use Ratoc's FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a female C50 (50 pin Centronics style) connector, use the SCSI-
RCL3005 High Density 50F to Centronics 50M adapter (Ultra to Fast SCSI I/II).

The bottom four images are the SCSI-RCL3005 pin-outs as a line drawing on the left and a photograph on the right. One side
of the connector receives the FR1SX or U2SCX (images in top row) and the other side plugs into the SCSI peripheral (images in
bottom row).
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a HD68F
To use Ratoc's FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a female HD68 (68 pin) connector, use the SCSI-RCL3068 High
Density 50F to High Density 68M Adapter (Ultra to Ultra Wide/LVD SCSI).

The bottom four images are the SCSI-RCL3068 pin-outs as a line drawing on the left and a photograph on the right. One side
of the connector receives the FR1SX or U2SCX (images in top row) and the other side plugs into the SCSI peripheral (images in
bottom row).
Using the Ratoc FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a DB25F
To use Ratoc's FR1SX or U2SCX with a SCSI device featuring a female DB25 (25 pin 'Mac' style) connector, use the SCSI-RCL3025
High Density 50F to D-Sub 25M Adapter (Ultra to Fast SCSI I/II Mac).

The bottom four images are the SCSI-RCL3025 pin-outs as a line drawing on the left and a photograph on the right. One side
of the connector receives the FR1SX or U2SCX (images in top row) and the other side plugs into the SCSI peripheral (images in
bottom row).
Using the Ratoc host adapters with other types of SCSI connectors
There are other types of SCSI connectors, converter plugs, and gender changers on the market. Some companies to investigate
for alternate connectors and converters are Granite Digital, The Mate Company, and Paralan Corporation. There are several to
choose from and the preceding list is provided as a service, not an endorsement or recommendation.

Important FR1SX FireWire to Ultra SCSI Information

Before purchasing the FR1SX FireWire to Ultra SCSI host adapter, check Ratoc's system requirements and compatibility lists
carefully.

Ultra SCSI to Firewire Converter(FR1SX) Compatible list for Windows

FireWire UltraSCSI Converter (FR1SX) Compatible list for Mac OS
FireWire to UltraSCSI Converter (FR1SX) FAQ
Using Ratoc Devices in The Windows Vista

Important U2SCX USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI Information

Before purchasing the U2SCX USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI host adapter, check Ratoc's system requirements and compatibility lists
carefully.

USB 2.0 Ultra SCSI Converter (U2SCX) Compatibility list for Windows
USB 2.0 Ultra SCSI Converter (U2SCX) Compatibility list for Mac OS
USB 2.0 Ultra SCSI Converter (U2SCX) FAQ
Using Ratoc Devices in The Windows Vista

Important U2SCX-LVD USB 2.0 to Ultra Wide SCSI Information

Before purchasing the U2SCX-LVD USB 2.0 to Ultra Wide SCSI host adapter, check Ratoc's system requirements and compatibility
lists carefully.

USB 2.0 Ultra Wide SCSI Converter (U2SCX-LVD) Compatibility list for Windows
USB 2.0 Ultra Wide SCSI Converter (U2SCX-LVD) Compatibility list for Mac OS
Using Ratoc Devices in The Windows Vista

More Useful SCSI Information

Overview of SCSI Standards and Cables
http://www.scsita.org/terms/SCSI_Overview.html
Visual Guide to SCSI Connectors
http://www.scsita.org/aboutscsi/Pictures.html
The 7 Generations of SCSI
http://www.scsita.org/aboutscsi/7gen.html
Overview of SCSI Standards and Cables
http://www.scsita.org/aboutscsi/SCSI_Overview.html
SCSI Termination Tutorial
http://www.scsita.org/aboutscsi/SCSI_Termination_Tutorial.html
STA-Endorsed Terms and Terminology for SCSI
http://www.scsita.org/aboutscsi/SCSI_Termination_Tutorial.html#Table1

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http://www.synchrotech.com/
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