Very Computer

Hi,
I have been trying to get the latest supported hardware list for Solaris 2.4

I have not received anything from either. I sent mail request with no subject

Where can I get the docs I want?
Cheers
Richard.
--

I tried it just the other day and it worked, but if not for you,
the ftp-address is ftp.uu.net:/vendor/sun/sun-doc/x-86-driver and the
file x86hcl.nov94.ps is the latest version. You can also get the driver
updates from the same place.

-- Jason

The list as published is inaccurate.

Sun claims support for the Adaptec 1542B, but mine didn't work with 2.4
(although it worked fine with 2.1). I upgraded to a 1542CF, which does work,
although Sun doesn't support any of the features that make it an improvement
over the 1542B.
--
Mark McWiggins      Hermes & Associates               +1 206 632 1905 (24 hrs.)

Quote:> ...
>I tried it just the other day and it worked, but if not for you,
>the ftp-address is ftp.uu.net:/vendor/sun/sun-doc/x-86-driver and the
>file x86hcl.nov94.ps is the latest version. You can also get the driver
>updates from the same place.

Unfortunatly, the copy of the HCL on ftp.uu.net is at least two versions
out of date.  Here's the official information on how to obtain the HCL:

================================ cut here ===================================
This document is updated monthly and available from the following
sources:

o       The Internet (TM)

                PostScript (TM) version--Send electronic mail to

o       On CompuServe (SM)--Type `go sunsoft` and go to the Solaris x86
        library.

o       The WWW (http://access1.Sun.COM)-Click on "SunSoft's Support
        Resolutions Answer Center,"  select "Solaris," and then click on
        "Hardware Compatibility List."

o       SunSoft's Automated Support Fax-Back-a-Copy system-
        Call (310) 348-6219, menu option 1, document number 50003.

o       Catalyst (SM) Fax-Back Server--Call (800) 769-4000.
================================ cut here ===================================

BA

As far as the 2.4 driver is concerned the 1542B and 1542CF adapters are
almost entirely identical.  If they're configured correctly, they both work
just fine on our test systems.

The most common problem with getting the 1542B to work correctly is
incorrect termination of the SCSI bus.  If you're certain you correctly
installed the terminators you should also be aware that the 1542B has a
termination power fuse which sometimes fails.  But these are just wild
guesses.  It's hard to guess why the 1542B didn't work on your 2.4
system unless you can describe the symptoms of the failure.  

Quote:>although Sun doesn't support any of the features that make it an improvement
>over the 1542B.

The essential difference between the 1542B and the 1542CF adapters is
that the CF model is capable of supporting SCSI bus synchronous transfer
rates as high as 10MB/sec.  Whether this works on a particular system
depends on the capabilities of your hardware.  In other words, if your
drives, cables and motherboard are all properly designed and installed
the Solaris aha driver should function just fine with the SCSI bus
transfer rate set as high as 10MB/sec.  If it doesn't work correctly at
the maximum transfer rate than it's probably due to hardware problems
rather than limitations of the driver or kernel.  

Both the older 1542B and the newer 1542CF still have to contend with DMA
problems on some motherboards.  Some motherboards don't support bus
mastering DMA operations and some have timing problems which limit the
DMA transfer rate.  So setting the SCSI bus transfer rate to it's
maximum may not be of much use if your motherboard can't also support a
DMA rate higher than the 5MB/sec default.  

BA

I agree.  A friend of mine has verified that while his NEC 4xi CD-ROM
was on the HCL, it doesn't work properly.  Rather, it _does_ work, but
only after Solaris is installed.  The NEC is unreliabale in reading
the blocks and if it makes a data error while loading the kernel, the
kernel panics.  Not good for installation.

On the other hand, some hardware works, even if it is not on the
compatibility list. For instance, SCSI magneto-optical drives do work,
although they are not listed. Also, the SCSI DAT-tape drive, that
is not listed and it works, too.

-- Jason

If it was configured correctly enough for 2.1, why not 2.4? Clearly the
driver was changed in some way to support the 1542CF that "derobustifyed"
the support for the 1542B. Bleah.

Quote:>The most common problem with getting the 1542B to work correctly is
>incorrect termination of the SCSI bus.  If you're certain you correctly
>installed the terminators you should also be aware that the 1542B has a
>termination power fuse which sometimes fails.  But these are just wild
>guesses.  It's hard to guess why the 1542B didn't work on your 2.4
>system unless you can describe the symptoms of the failure.  

Kernel panic on installation: giving up "incomplete" reading from
the CD-ROM. Pull out 2.4 CDROM, put in 2.1 CDROM: works fine.

Quote:>>although Sun doesn't support any of the features that make it an improvement
>>over the 1542B.
>The essential difference between the 1542B and the 1542CF adapters is
>that the CF model is capable of supporting SCSI bus synchronous transfer
>rates as high as 10MB/sec.  Whether this works on a particular system
>depends on the capabilities of your hardware.  In other words, if your
>drives, cables and motherboard are all properly designed and installed
>the Solaris aha driver should function just fine with the SCSI bus
>transfer rate set as high as 10MB/sec.  If it doesn't work correctly at
>the maximum transfer rate than it's probably due to hardware problems
>rather than limitations of the driver or kernel.  

The features I meant were the 1542CF's ability to boot from a drive
other than drive 0, etc. Very handy, but Solaris doesn't support it.

--
Mark McWiggins      Hermes & Associates               +1 206 632 1905 (24 hrs.)