[Info-vax] SCSI2SD storage - was: Replacing SCSI disks in PS433AU for VMS

[Dave Froble]

On 10/1/2020 7:24 PM, Chris wrote:
> On 10/01/20 14:57, Chris Townley wrote:

>> I am in the UK, and have a couple lined up locally thanks
>>
>> Really, I was interested in the idea of solid state that was also
>> removable, with inexpensive media
>>
>> Chris
>
> Just remember that most removable media is consumer electronics,
> not professional quality and has a limited number of write cycles.
> You may be lucky, but I would never use it for any any critical date,
> nor usb memory sticks or usb based storage pf any type. Ok for
> quick hacks or home use, but they should be considered expandable...

Ok, I decided I was getting lazy, so I purchased one of the SCSI2SD 
devices.  V6 rev 2020a along with a 16 GB SanDisk card.

Got the device, no documentation.  Ok, the fun begins.

First test is in a VAXstation 4000 Model 90.  I assumed there would be a 
SCSI ID issue, and there was.  So I changed the RZ26 ID to 1, and both 
devices showed up in SHOW DEVICE at the >>> prompt.  What is interesting 
is the device showed up as 3.04 GB.  I'm assuming the VAXstation console 
had a problem with 16 GB.

I found some info, seems there is a configuration utility for WEENDOZE 
(I guess) to set SCSI ID and some other things.  I've not yet found info 
on how to connect the device to a WEENDOZE system.

I booted the RZ26, VMS V7.2 booted.  INITed the SCSI2SD, mounted it, and 
it showed up with a bit over 31 million blocks, so that's 16 GB if I can 
still do some math.

I then did an IMAGE backup from the RZ26 to the SCSI2SD, worked fine, 
then booted the SCSI2SD device.  It's running now, no apparent problems.

As mentioned above by Chris, perhaps the device will not be reliable 
enough for anything serious, but for casual use, why not?  If I do an 
IMAGE BACKUP to elsewhere every night, I'd guess a restore to a new SD 
card would be enough security for the storage.  I don't know anything 
about the SD cards.  I'm hoping reading is not an issue.  Won't be so 
much writing.

Wondering if anyone has any info on the SD cards to make a guess how 
much writing they will take before they die?

So, perhaps a way forward for home/casual/hobbyist use of old VAXs?

My next test will be on an AlphaStation 200 system, and after that an 
EV6 system.  I'll report here what I find.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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