🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Dec29.212620.19060@blaze.cs.jhu.edu>, bogstad@blaze.cs.jhu.edu (Bill Bogstad) writes:
> 
> 	I've got a couple of RA81s which used to be used on a now defunct
> VAX 8530 which I would like to use.  I've been digging through the manuals
> for our 5400 and it appears that I can probably attach these drives; but I
> will need a KDA50 controller to do so.  Can somebody tell me if this is
> correct and if there is anything else that I need to worry about (the rev of
> the KDA50 for example)? .....  Will I
> have any problems with the MSCP implemented by the KDA50 controller versus
> that used by the DSSI/RF disk combination?.  Can I put a KDA50 in a 210QS
> package?  What should I pay for a used KDA50?
> 

  Yes, you will need a KDA50 controller for your RA81s and yes, there is such
  a beast for the 5400.  Note that the KDA50 will a) consume two slots with two
  boards, b) make a third useless, c) consume a fair amount of power, and d),
  cost a fair amount of money.

  A new KDA50 is apx. $6,000 "list price", more for "standard price" (e.g., one
  year's maintenance included).  Asking price for used units seems to be all
  over the map, from $400 to $1500 or so.  I assume that there are reasons for
  this range, e.g., rev. levels, etc.  I would worry about the rev level for
  two reasons, one optional:  a) bug fixes, b) support by DEC (if you plan to
  put this under maintenance). 

  I am not 100% sure what your concern re MSCP was, but:  we had a 5400 with
  a mix of DSSI and RA disks (it had two KDA50's in it) and everything worked
  fine. But we dumped the mess first chance we got: replaced the KDAs and the
  RAs with third-party SCSI and disks.  Much much cheaper to operate. 

  greg pavlov
  pavlov@fstrf.org