Can a SCSI adapter be fitted in a 'normal' PC?

Hi all!

I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.

I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.

Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
something here?

Cheers
Glenn

On Wed, 2007-06-27 at 03:02 -0700, gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote:
> Hi all!
>
> I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
> which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
> attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.
>
> I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
> can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.
>
> Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
> something here?

If you have a free PCI slot you can put a SCSI adaptor into any PC.
This PC has one.

--
Jeremy Boden

gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> Hi all!
>
> I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
> which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
> attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.
>
> I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
> can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.

You really want to say that Dell told you _that_?

> Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
> something here?

Of course this can be done. There are SCSI hostadapters available for
all slot types used in "normal" PCs.


Micha

At Wed, 27 Jun 2007 03:02:04 -0700 gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote:

>
> Hi all!
>
> I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
> which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
> attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.

Sure, you want a backup-medium 'desktop' machine. Easier to perform
backup and restores that way -- saves hiking down to the dungeon, er
server room... :-)

>
> I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
> can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.

What sort of moron told you that?

>
> Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
> something here?

There should be no problem installing a PCI SCSI card (such as an (old)
AHA-2940 or a newer AHA-29160) in a random 'PC', so long as it has an
available PCI slot.

>
> Cheers
> Glenn
>
>

--
Robert Heller -- Get the Deepwoods Software FireFox Toolbar!
Deepwoods Software -- Linux Installation and Administration
http://www.deepsoft.com/ -- Web Hosting, with CGI and Database
heller@deepsoft.com -- Contract Programming: C/C++, Tcl/Tk

At Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:39:32 +0200 Michael Baeuerle <michael.baeuerle@stz-e.de> wrote:

>
> gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote:
> >
> > Hi all!
> >
> > I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
> > which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
> > attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.
> >
> > I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
> > can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.
>
> You really want to say that Dell told you _that_?

Right, Dell wants to sell you another server box (for way too many dead
presidents). Maybe Dell won't sell you a desktop with a SCSI card in
it (I can believe that). Does not mean you can't drop an aftermarket
PCI SCSI card in *any* Dell desktop box. And I really doubt it would
void the warrenty, esp. if you have the Dell tech field install it for
you.

>
> > Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
> > something here?
>
> Of course this can be done. There are SCSI hostadapters available for
> all slot types used in "normal" PCs.
>
>
> Micha
>

--
Robert Heller -- Get the Deepwoods Software FireFox Toolbar!
Deepwoods Software -- Linux Installation and Administration
http://www.deepsoft.com/ -- Web Hosting, with CGI and Database
heller@deepsoft.com -- Contract Programming: C/C++, Tcl/Tk

<gloriousglenn@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1182938524.495257.91750@q75g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com
> Hi all!
>
> I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
> which is connected by a SCSI cable.

> The thing is, I want it to be
> attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.

So you are *not* "getting a new tape storage device for my
server (Dell TL2000) which is connected by a SCSI cable. "

>
> I have been told

No kidding.

> that I would have to purchase another server as
> you can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.

Define 'normal'.

>
> Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC?

Why?

> Or am I missing something here?

Common sense?

>
> Cheers
> Glenn

The Computer Dood <info@thecomputerdood.com> wrote:
> gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote:
>> Hi all!
>>
>> I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
>> which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
>> attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.
>>
>> I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
>> can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.
>>
>> Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
>> something here?
>>
>> Cheers
>> Glenn
>>
> I guess I am confused, as is the group. You are using the term "NORMAL
> PC" and "SERVER" as if they are two different class of machines. A
> server is nothing more than a "NORMAL PC" which (traditionally) sits in

There is a difference between real servers and desktops.

It's unlikely you will find features such as hot swap disks and out of
band remote access facilities or redundant power supplies in a desktop.

Many thanks for those that gave me sensible answers and could read
'roughly' what I meant. Perhaps I should have used the words 'desktop
PC' instead of 'normal PC', but apart from that I thought I had a
valid question.

I asked Dell if I could put a SCSI adapter into one of my desktop
machines to run the tape backup drive. Dell said no, and I would need
to purchase a "Server".

Because of the few that managed to see it to answer without flaming I
now know what to tell Dell.

Many thanks to 'you' guys.

Cheers
Glenn

At Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:49:18 +0000 (UTC) Cydrome Leader <presence@MUNGEpanix.com> wrote:

>
> The Computer Dood <info@thecomputerdood.com> wrote:
> > gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote:
> >> Hi all!
> >>
> >> I am getting a new tape storage device for my server (Dell TL2000)
> >> which is connected by a SCSI cable. The thing is, I want it to be
> >> attached to a seperate machine as apposed to the actual server.
> >>
> >> I have been told that I would have to purchase another server as you
> >> can't put a SCSI adaptor into a 'normal' PC.
> >>
> >> Surely a SCSI adaptor can be put into any PC? Or am I missing
> >> something here?
> >>
> >> Cheers
> >> Glenn
> >>
> > I guess I am confused, as is the group. You are using the term "NORMAL
> > PC" and "SERVER" as if they are two different class of machines. A
> > server is nothing more than a "NORMAL PC" which (traditionally) sits in
>
> There is a difference between real servers and desktops.
>
> It's unlikely you will find features such as hot swap disks and out of
> band remote access facilities or redundant power supplies in a desktop.

I've installed a 'hot swap disk' chassis in my desktop PC. Yes, it
normally would be part of a Dell server, but I got it on E-Bay and it
mounts just fine in my desktop PC box (which just happens to be a tall
'server' style chasis (the hot swap disk chassis would mount in any full
height 5.25" external access bay).

As far as installing SCSI controllers in a 'Normal PC' vs. a 'Server',
PCI slots are pretty much the same whether it is a 'Normal PC' or a
'Server'. There is little difference between 'Server' motherboards and
'Normal PC' motherboards -- most of the differences between 'Normal
PCs' and 'Servers' is in things relating to high-reliablity: extra
cooling, redundant/hot swap disks, redundant/hot swap power supplies,
and so on. Oh, 'Server' motherboards might have a low-end VGA adapter
integrated on the motherboard (frees up one more PCI slot) and/or might
have things like hardware RAID and/or SCSI and/or Ethernet controllers
integrated on the motherboard -- but nothing really stops one from
using such a motherboard in a desktop PC OR using a motherboard that lacks
these features in a server...

>

--
Robert Heller -- Get the Deepwoods Software FireFox Toolbar!
Deepwoods Software -- Linux Installation and Administration
http://www.deepsoft.com/ -- Web Hosting, with CGI and Database
heller@deepsoft.com -- Contract Programming: C/C++, Tcl/Tk

gloriousglenn@hotmail.com wrote in article <1183017587.411591.29030
@n2g2000hse.googlegroups.com>...

> I asked Dell if I could put a SCSI adapter into one of my desktop
> machines to run the tape backup drive. Dell said no, and I would need
> to purchase a "Server".

Which translates to: "No [we only support scsi-solutions on servers]",
not "No [techinically impossible]"

--
Håkan