LSI scsi card based on 53C875/53C876 chip

Hello Roger,

No and Yes.

No, if the board is SE SCSI (Single Ended), e.g. SYM2280<b>1</b> or SYM8751<b>S</b>PE..

Yes, if it's HVD SCSI (High Voltage Differential), e.g. SYM2280<b>2</b> or SYM8751<b>D</b>.

In the examples the first board is dual channel (53C876) and the second one single channel (53C875).

The A1000/D1000 require HVD SCSI.

Michael

maal at 2007-7-5 17:48:56 >

Hello Roger,

there are only two "differences":

1. The Part# sticker

2. It voids your warranty / service contract

Even the Sun branded card contains a x86 bios, which is of cause not used in a SPARC system.

If the card doesn't work as expected, just insert it in a PC, invoke the cards (internal) configuration program and review the settings. Under rare circumstances somebody has modified the settings. When you attach the A1000/D1000 it should be detected when scanning the SCSI bus for devices. The manuals for the A1000/D1000 are available for download, in case you want to review the hardware setup (termination, daisy-chaining, DIP-switch).

None of the jumpers on the SYM22801 is plugged (closed).

The card should/will work with your system.

Michael

maal at 2007-7-5 17:48:56 >

It is quite possibly incorrect to say the 53C875 or 53C876 will not work in a Sun Ultra 5 unless the SCSI card is high voltage differential (HVD). I have several in an Ultra 60 and Ultra 80, although none have been tested in an Ultra 5 I must admin.

SUN 375-0005 X6540A DUAL UW SCSI CARD

has written on it SYM22801, but the chip has 53C876 on it (I know, since I have it in front of me). That is dual channel, single ended and works fine in an Ultra 80. Following a quick look I was unable to find what Sun systems that card is supported in.

When my Ultra 60 boots, it says:

Jan 21 19:28:28 main-webserver Rev. 5 Symbios 53c876 found.

That is the inbuilt dual single-ended SCSI controller.

A little latter in the boot process the Ultra 60 says:

Jan 21 19:28:51 main-webserver Rev. 3 Symbios 53c875 found.

which is a single-channel, single-ended card.

So the U60 has both a 53c876 chip (built into the motherboard) and the 53c875 (added in a PCI slot).

I also have a Sun Ultra 80, which during boot it logs in /var/adm/message:

Jan 21 18:48:50 sparrow Rev. 5 Symbios 53c876 found.

Jan 21 18:48:50 sparrow Rev. 3 Symbios 53c875 found.

The 53c876 (dual channel, single ended) is on the motherboard, the 53c875 on a single-channel card, which is HVD. I use that to control a StoreEDGE L9 tape drive.

So in summary I have the following chips all working in Suns at this minute.

53c876 dual channel, single-ended in Ultra 60

53c876 dual channel, single-ended in Ultra 80

53c875 single-channel HVD in Ultra 80

53c875 single-ended in Ultra 60

and I have sitting on the bench Sun 375-0005 X6540A which is single ended and dual channel. I have run that before in the Ultra 80 (never tested in the Ultra 60).

Perhaps there is something odd about the Ultra 5, but those chips certianly work in the Ultra 60 and Ultra 80 with no problems, on both single ended (SE) and high voltage differential (HVD).

Dr. David Kirkby

email david [[DOT]] kirkby [[AT]] onetel [[DOT]] net

drkirkby at 2007-7-5 17:48:56 >

I see now. I mis-interpreted the context of the reply from 'maal'. I thought he was saying a card based on the 53C875 or 53C876 would only work in a Sun if it was HVD, which seemed odd, since as you say, the input and output drivers set whether the card is HVD or SE and not the main ASIC.

I now reallise 'maal'' was saying a card based on the 53C875 or 53C876 would only work with those Sun storage arrays if the card was HVD, since those are HVD devices and so incompatable with any LVD or S card.

Sorry, maal's reply makes much more sence now.

Since you say the 375-0005 and the 375-0006 are supported in the Ultra 5, there is every reason to believe a card based on the 53C875 or 53C876 will work in a Ultra 5. Someone says his does not. I never thought, perhaps he has an HVD card and is trying to use it on a SE device (or the other way around). I'll mention that to him. Do you know if the SYM22801 means the device is single ended (as my Sun dual-channel board is) or could a SYM22801 be single ended or differential? I realise the 53C875 or 53C876 chips can be either, but can a SYM22801 be either?

I have both a HVD board (used for my StorEDGE L9) and SE board (which I tested last night to verify it does work) and all fine. Both use the 53C875 chip.

BTW, if anyone wants a single ended IBM board, with an 53C875 chip, they can have it for 10 UK pounds (around $18 ) + postage. I've tested it brifely on a disk in a Sun Ultra 60. I offered it to the person who was stuck with his board not working, but he would prefer to buy from eBay for security reasons. (I'm not sure what security he would get on a 10 board, but that is his choice). Drop me an email at the address I added to the bottom of my previous message. I also have the Sun original board at 35, but do not wish to sell both. I want to keep one of them, but not too bothered which. The dual board has both of the special cables.

Dr. David Kirkby

drkirkby at 2007-7-5 17:48:56 >