4
SCSI Fiber Optic Extender
2.1 Overview
The SCSI bus (pronounced
scuzzy
) is one of the most popular interfaces for
connecting peripheral devices to a computer system. However, the
maximum allowable cable distance from computer to SCSI peripheral is just
19.7 ft. (6 m). But by using a pair of SCSI Fiber Optic Extenders, you can
far exceed that distance.
Now you can connect SCSI components such as disk drives, CD-ROM
systems, RAID arrays, tape backup drives, and laser printers up to 3000 feet
(about 1 km) from the host computer, via fiberoptic cable (see Figure 2-1).
Figure 2-1. Sample Application Using SCSI Fiber Optic Extenders.
Note the location of the SCSI terminators.
SCSI Fiber Optic Extender supports a maximum SCSI data rate of 10
MBytes per second in asynchronous or synchronous mode. It supports the
“Fast SCSI” standard, available in top-of-the-line computers and
peripherals. And proprietary switching enables the Extender to maintain
complete SCSI command functionality and remain transparent to the user.
The Extender conforms to ANSI X3.131 and X3T9.2 specifications with
single-ended device termination. Disconnect and Reselect are fully
supported to ensure complete SCSI compatibility. Also, the Extender does
not require a SCSI device address.
Besides extending a single SCSI chain, you can use a pair of these
Extenders to link two remote SCSI chains (see Figure 2-2), enabling
computer users in distant workgroups to share multiple SCSI peripherals.
2. Introduction
SCSI
Terminators
SCSI
Terminators
Host
Computer
SCSI
Peripherals
SCSI Fiber Optic Extenders
Linked Via Duplex
Fiberoptic Cable—
Up To 3000 feet (1 Km)
