kzpsa a12 fw relnote

This document provides Release Notes for the Compaq KZPSA SCSI Storage Adapter Module, a high-performance PCI option module that connects a system's PCI I/O bus to a single 16-bit Fast Wide Differential SCSI bus. It is intended for use with Compaq Alpha workstations and servers.

The document includes:

• A Parts List for the KZPSA-BB module.
• A list of Supported Compaq Alpha Systems (workstations and servers).
• An extensive Verified Device Listing of SCSI devices (disks, tapes, CD-ROMs, RAID controllers, bus expanders/hubs) with their tested minimum firmware revisions. A specific note highlights that certain EZ-series solid-state disks are too small for use as system disks under OpenVMS and Digital UNIX.

Key Restrictions and Recommendations:

• Firmware: KZPSA-BB firmware revision A12 or greater is recommended for all applications and is required for HSZ70 support, which may also necessitate operating system patches.
• Older SCSI Devices: Some older SCSI disk and tape devices may not correctly handle wide SCSI transfer negotiations. Users might need to disable Wide Negotiation for these devices using the KZPSA Utility or contact Digital services.

• Operating System Support (Minimum Revisions):

  • UNIX: Requires V3.2G (ASE V1.3, TCR V1.0) or 4.0B (ASE V1.4a, TCR V1.4a). Supports up to seven SCSI devices per adapter. For DECSafe environments with KZPSAs firmware A06 or older, upgrades to A12 must be done in sequence, starting with the adapter with the lowest SCSI bus node number.
  • Windows NT: Requires Version 3.51 or 4.0 (minimum driver revision 4.0). NT does not support the HSZ10 controller with the KZPSA.
  • OpenVMS: Requires V6.2 or V7.1 (V6.2-1H3 for SCSI Clusters). Supports up to seven SCSI devices under V6.2 and up to fifteen under V7.1. OpenVMS does not support the HSZ10 controller. Minimum KZPSA hardware revision F01.

• Configuration Issues:

  • When installing multiple KZPSAs in an AlphaServer 2X00 with ARC console rev 3.51, CNFGDIAG and FWUPDATE utilities may not function properly; configure one KZPSA at a time.
  • When daisy-chaining BA356 16-bit wide SCSI storage enclosures using an 8-bit I/O Module (BA35X-MG), wide negotiations must be disabled for any wide devices in the second enclosure.

• Hardware Compatibility: The minimum KZPSA hardware revision supported on an AlphaServer 8x00 is M01.