Book of SCSI 2 E

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 456 pages
• Published by: No Starch Press
• Edition: 2nd Edition June 1, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1886411107
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1886411104
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

Product Review
Graphical operating systems went a long way toward improving the usability of Intel-compatible computers, but they only can do so much to sugar coat the underlying hardware design. The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) standards, however, simplify the hookup and configuration of disks, scanners, and other peripheral devices. In The Book of SCSI, engineer Gary Field and his colleagues explain the SCSI specifications in practical detail, revealing all the information you should need to fix SCSI systems that don't work quite right. The information is up to date, with new coverage of the SCSI-3 specification, expanded RAID-under-SCSI material, and a thorough section on Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) programming; all of which makes this new edition more than worth its cover price, even if you own the earlier version.

Although it addresses the basics of SCSI configuration, this book's primary value is as a no-kidding electrical engineering and programming text on the low-level characteristics of SCSI communication. This is the book you want if you're involved in designing physical SCSI devices or writing software drivers for SCSI devices. The book goes heavy on tables that list jumper settings, as well as state diagrams and signal references. Despite its commendable depth, it's easy to read and likely contains the answers to your SCSI questions, even if they don't have to do with low-level signaling. --David Wall

Topics covered: The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) family of hardware interconnection standards, viewed mainly (but not entirely) in great detail. An overview of SCSI (with special focus on the SCSI-3 standard), along with coverage of cables and terminators, software device drivers, RAID implementations under SCSI, and troubleshooting hints. The Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) tutorial and reference is great, as is the practical comparison of IDE and SCSI disks.

Product Description
This second edition of The Book of SCSI provides down-to-earth instructions for installing, implementing, utilizing, and maintaining SCSI on a PC. Accessible to readers at all levels, this is the standard reference for anyone working with or maintaining a SCSI system. Along with complete coverage of SCSI-3 and all the latest features, The Book of SCSI: I/O for the New Millennium contains many new and updated features.

What's New?

• New and expanded sections on ASPI programming including a sample utility program
• A new chapter on SCSI device drivers
• A CD-ROM with SCSI diagnostic tools and utilities, a searchable copy of the book for quick referencing and the SCSI FAQ,
• SCSI Quick Start Guide, and SCSI Game Rules
• Coverage of Ultra2/LVD (Low Voltage Differential), Fibre Channel, RAID, DVD, and more
• New directions in the SCSI and storage industry
• A chapter on SCSI test equipment
• Many new drawings and diagrams of the multitude of SCSI connectors
• A comprehensive troubleshooting guide

What Hasn't Changed

• Plain English explanations of the basics of SCSI: how to work with SCSI IDs, LUNs, termination, parity checking, asynchronous and synchronous transfer, bus mastering, caching, and more.
• Specific instructions on how to add SCSI to your PC that will save you hours of frustration.
• An understandable explanation of how the SCSI bus works
• The ASPI programming spec. from Adaptec, Inc.
• Clear, uncomplicated drawings and diagrams showing various aspects of SCSI hardware systems.
• Tips, tricks, and troubleshooting help for SCSI systems.
• An extensive glossary of SCSI terms and a comprehensive index.

Reader Reviews
As a consultant, my motto has always been, "learn fast or die." Fickle customers simply don't want to pay you to figure things out. As a result, when a project involves something I'm not intimately familiar with, I beg, borrow, or steal every book I can get my hands on. I compulsively try to learn everything I can to become an expert, or at least be able to speak authoritatively. This time around, a SCSI project landed on my desk. So how did this book stack up against the others? Here is my opinion. This book is, hands down, the best written introductory book on SCSI available. The authors take pains to clearly describe the evolution of SCSI, why you should use it, how to connect SCSI devices, and troubleshooting. They even describe why a cable has to be terminated, in detail. Administrators and technicians studying for the A+ exam will simply love this book. Programmers, on the other hand, will come up wanting. The actual protocol isn't discussed, only ASPI. Examples are given in assembly (for DOS), and Delphi. ASPI is discussed for DOS, Win 3.1, NT, and OS2. If you are looking for an introductory book that explains SCSI in basic, high-level terms, this is your book. On the other hand, if you are seeking a book to help you jump start your application development, look elsewhere.