[Info-vax] Disk drives for an AlphaServer 800

[Rich Jordan]

On Aug 6, 12:53 pm, Steven Schweda <sms.antin... at gmail.com> wrote:
> tadamsmar wrote:
> > This AS 800 has a seagate st32171wc  2.1 GB ultra SCSI drives  (2
> > shadowed).
>
> > I wonder if I can get new bigger replacement drives?
>
>    2GB?  Bigger would be easier to find than not bigger.  I'd
> be a bit amazed if you couldn't find a "new" 36GB drive on
> Ebay (where I buy all my disks these days) for well under $50.
>
> > I can get seagate st32171wc, but I think they are all used.
>
>    I'm amazed that you can find any (working) 2GB disks these
> days.
>
> > This AS 800 has a hot swap cage, so all the pins have to be positioned
> > to match.
>
> > But, I guess any 80 pin ultra scsi will work?
>
>    That SCA connector is pretty well standardized.  I can't
> speak for an AlphaServer 800, but none of my hardware has
> rejected any Seagate drive I've stuck into it.

I haven't seen an 800 in a long time but are there height
limitations?  Does it require 1/3 height drives or can it handle half
height?  That, and cooling (for 10-15KRPM drives) may be the biggest
issue.


And I have an RZ24 that has been in continuous service since 1991 or
so, barring occasional power failures.  We also have a pair of RZ26
drives (one half height original, one RZ26N, I think) in full time
service on a couple of old VAXen that don't like >1GB boot drives.  No
worries.