AHA®-2940/W PCI-to-Fast SCSI Host Adapter

The highest performance I/O technology available for demanding desktop and server applications

PRODUCT FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW

The AHA-2940 host adapter brings the highest performance SCSI I/O technology to the fast PCI local-bus. Based on Adaptec-designed RISC technology, the AHA-2940 maximizes system I/O performance and utilizes the PCI local-bus to transfer data up to 133 MB/second. This series of high-performance, intelligent host adapters supports advanced SCSI features and bus master direct memory access (DMA) data transfers. Combined with the high performance of SCSI and the fastest system bus available, the AHA-2940 delivers maximum I/O throughput for demanding desktop and network server applications.

The AHA-2940 PCI host adapter brings compatibility, reliability and ease-of-use to the desktop or server PC. The AHA-2940 is compatible with all major operating systems, SCSI-1 and Fast SCSI-2 peripherals, as well as industry-standard application software. Adaptec's extensive testing program ensures compatibility between the PCI system and the SCSI host adapter.

The AHA-2940 features the BIOS-resident SCSISelect configuration utility which eliminates the need to handle jumpers or terminators while installing the board or adding peripherals. All configuration and terminator settings are controlled via the keyboard. This means that once the host adapter is installed, the PC chassis need never be opened again.

KEY BENEFITS

RISC-based SCSI - the key to maximum performance

The AHA-2940 is the newest addition to the Adaptec line of RISC-based SCSI host adapters. At the core of this new host adapter family is the Adaptec-designed PhaseEngine RISC processor. The 10 MIPS PhaseEngine processor minimizes the time it takes to process SCSI commands by automating SCSI phase changes and advanced SCSI features. This allows the CPU to perform other tasks and improves overall system efficiency and performance.

The programmable PhaseEngine RISC processor also executes self-contained microcode, which is downloaded by the main CPU at system initialization. This enables quick and easy microcode upgrades. Further, a 64-byte scratch memory stores configuration information established by the BIOS-resident SCSISelect configuration utility.

With the Adaptec-designed RISC processor, the AHA-2940 host adapter maximizes system I/O performance by utilizing the PCI local-bus to process data at transfer rates of up to 133 Mbytes/second. This new technology is essential in meeting the demands of high-performance applications.

Wide SCSI support for increased performance

The AHA-2940W PCI-to-Wide SCSI host adapter provides connectivity to 16-bit as well as standard 8-bit SCSI devices. This connectivity increases I/O performance by doubling the maximum SCSI bus band-width from 10 Mbytes per second for standard 8-bit SCSI to 20 Mbytes per second for Wide 16-bit SCSI.

Simple installation and easy, flexible configuration

The AHA-2940 family of host adapters is easily installed and configured. Simply install the board in the PCI slot, then run the menu-driven SCSISelect configuration utility resident on the host adapter. The SCSISelect configuration utility eliminates the need to handle jumpers, making host adapter installation quick and easy. In addition, the programmable active termination featured in the AHA-2940 family and con-trolled by the SCSISelect utility makes installation of external SCSI peripherals fast and simple.

When upgrading the PCI system with external SCSI peripherals, there is no need to open the PC chassis. Adaptec's SCSISelect utility provides key information on-screen, including the host adapter version and current configuration. Active termination and other host adapter settings may then be reconfigured on-screen through menus rather than handling jumpers and changing switch settings on the hardware.

Proven Adaptec quality and reliability

The hardware for the AHA-2940 family of host adapters is based on state-of-the-art VLSI technology, providing maximum performance and reliability. To ensure compatibility with PCI systems, the AHA-2940 family has undergone exhaustive testing in Adaptec's compatibility test lab. In addition, each board is subjected to extensive functional and mechanical inspections and tests to ensure the highest quality and reliability.

As the PCI standard becomes established in the industry, Adaptec recognizes the need to work with core technology providers to ensure long-term compatibility. Adaptec has been proactive in building relationships with leading BIOS, core chip-set and system providers to assure compliance and compatibility with the PCI 2.0 specification. Our on-going testing and reporting procedures allow us to provide users with the most current PCI compatibility data.

In support of its commitment to quality, Adaptec's manufacturing facility has earned ISO-9002 certification. This international quality standard, established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ensures a high level of product quality, production, testing and service.

IOware® products by Adaptec

Adaptec's IOware products combine hardware and software technology into I/O solutions which ensure the level of performance required for today's data- and graphics-intensive applications. Resident in both the computer and the peripherals, Adaptec IOware products speed the flow of data from one part of the system to another, significantly improving overall performance.

ADAPTEC AHA-2940 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Computer Bus:
PCI local-bus

Interface Protocol:
Bus master DMA

Host Bus Data Transfer Rate:
Up to 133 Mbytes/sec burst rate

SCSI Synchronous Data Rate:
10 Mbytes/sec (Fast SCSI, AHA-2940)
20 Mbytes/sec (Fast and Wide SCSI, AHA-2940W)

SCSI Asynchronous Data Rate:
3 Mbytes/sec (AHA-2940)
6 Mbytes/sec (AHA-2940W)

Device Protocol:
SCSI-2 (AHA-2940)
SCSI-3 (AHA-2940W)

Advanced SCSI Features:
Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) compliant, multi-threaded I/O, scatter/gather, tagged queuing, disconnect/reconnect, synchronous and asynchronous Fast and Wide

Electrical Drivers:
Single-ended, active, programmable via SCSISelect configuration utility

Bus Width:
32-bit

Hard Disk Capacity:
Extended translation scheme supports up to eight (8) Gbytes per disk

Adaptec BIOS:
Supports up to seven (7) disks under DOS 5.0

Floppy Drive Support:
N/A

I/O Operating Environment:
Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, OS/2, NetWare, UNIX (SCO®, UnixWare)

MTBF:
TBD (calculated per Mil Spec 217 E)

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

Length:
5.8"

Height:
3.9"

Operating Temperature:
0°C to 55°C
32°F to 131°F

Storage Temperature:
-40°C to 75°C
-40°F to 167°F

Humidity (operating):
10% to 95% non-condensing

Power Requirements:
+5.0 ± 0.25 Volts at 2.0 amps maximum
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