1362_Bus_Logic_BT-54x_SCSI

NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors

Title: Bus Logic BT-542 SCSI Controller
Entry Number: 1362
Last Updated: <<Date June 17, 1997>>

Product Vendor:
Bus Logic, Inc.
4151 Burton Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
USA

+1 (408) 492 9090 phone
+1 (408) 492 1984 bulletin board system
WWW: http://www.buslogic.com/

Keywords: Bus Logic, 542, 545, SCSI, ISA

Usage Commentary:
The Bus Logic BT-54x line of SCSI controllers provides a bus-mastering ISA SCSI interface for NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors.

Release 3.3

See NeXTanswers document 1771_BusLogic_family_Driver_Overview.rtf
Release 3.2
The BT-545C requires the Bus Logic SCSI driver, now available from NeXTanswers via anonymous FTP (ftp.next.com) or email (nextanswers@next.com). Request NeXTanswers documents 1685_BusLogicSCSIDriver.pkg.compressed and 1686_BusLogicSCSIDriver.ReadMe.rtf.

While other models in the BT-54x line have been used successfully with the Bus Logic SCSI driver by our customers, the driver was written specifically for the BT-545C, and this is the only model tested by NeXT. If your card is a different model and does not work with the Bus Logic SCSI driver, use the Adaptec 154x SCSI driver instead. This driver is available in two versions: the original version on the NEXTSTEP Release 3.2 CD, and Update 1, available on NeXTanswers as documents 1521_Adaptec154xDriver.pkg.compressed and 1520_Adaptec154xDriver.ReadMe.rtf. The update provides enhanced functionality and bug fixes. If you are using either version of the Adaptec driver, see the note about firmware restrictions under "Known Problems" below. If you are installing a system with the update, request document 1541_Installation_Requiring_Adaptec_Driver_Update.rtf as well.

Release 3.1
The only driver which supports the BT-54x line under NEXTSTEP Release 3.1 is the Adaptec 154x driver which ships on the NEXTSTEP CD. See the note about firmware restrictions under "Known Problems" below.

Setup and Installation:
If you plan to use the BT-54x with a pre-installed system, first obtain the Bus Logic SCSI driver, then install and configure the driver according to the instructions in its ReadMe file. You can use the default driver settings.

If you are installing a system with the BT-54x, you will need to use the Bus Logic SCSI driver as a loadable boot driver. This requires a NEXTSTEP-formatted floppy with the plain driver, BusLogicSCSIDriver.config, in the /usr/Devices folder. You can create such a floppy yourself if you have access to a working NEXTSTEP system, or obtain one from NeXT Technical Support.

Known Problems:
Releases 3.1 and 3.2:

While the integrated floppy controller on the BT-54x may work, it is not officially supported under NEXTSTEP Releases 3.1 and 3.2.

Improper SCSI termination can cause strange, unreproducible errors. For maximum reliability be certain that the first and last devices on the SCSI bus are terminated. For more information on this topic see NeXTanswers document 1109_SCSI_Setup.

If you are using the Adaptec 154x SCSI driver because you are using NEXTSTEP Release 3.1 or because the Bus Logic SCSI driver does not support your card, you will need to change your Bus Logic BIOS and firmware to the following versions:
BIOS: 4.50
firmware: 3.31
Bus Logic technical support will assist you with this.

See also:
1109_SCSI_Setup
1118_Bus_Logic_BT-747_SCSI_Adapter.rtfd
1520_Adaptec154xDriver.ReadMe.rtf
1521_Adaptec154xDriver.pkg.compressed
1541_Installation_Requiring_Adaptec_Driver_Update.rtf
1547_Bus_Logic_BT-445_SCSI_Adapter.rtfd
1685_BusLogicSCSIDriver.pkg.compressed
1686_BusLogicSCSIDriver.ReadMe.rtf

	While the integrated floppy controller on the BT-54x may work, it is not officially supported under NEXTSTEP Releases 3.1 and 3.2.

	Improper SCSI termination can cause strange, unreproducible errors. For maximum reliability be certain that the first and last devices on the SCSI bus are terminated. For more information on this topic see NeXTanswers document 1109_SCSI_Setup.

	If you are using the Adaptec 154x SCSI driver because you are using NEXTSTEP Release 3.1 or because the Bus Logic SCSI driver does not support your card, you will need to change your Bus Logic BIOS and firmware to the following versions: BIOS: 4.50 firmware: 3.31 Bus Logic technical support will assist you with this.