5190/5194 Modular Tape Subsystem Manual

Introduction to the Modular Tape Subsystem
5190/5194 Modular Tape Subsystem Manual—426878-002
1-10
5190/5194 NonStop Himalaya K-Series Interface
Components
5190/5194 NonStop Himalaya K-Series
Interface Components
The modular tape drive CRU communicates with a NonStop Himalaya K-series server
through one of the following:
•
A multifunction controller (MFC) with SCSI cable
•
A 3216 tape controller with fiber-optic cable
Table 1-4 compares features and requirements. NonStop Himalaya K-series cables
are not interchangeable with NonStop Himalaya S-series cables. Their part numbers
are listed in Appendix A, Part Numbers.
Multifunction Controller (MFC)
Unlike dedicated I/O controllers, the MFC manages several types of devices, including
disk and tape drives, terminals, printers, workstations, and communications lines to
remote systems. The MFC consists of two boards: a logic board (LB) and a
backplane interconnect card (BIC). You access the logic board from the front of a
system or I/O cabinet. You access the BIC from the rear of a system or I/O cabinet.
As stated in Table 1-1 on page 1-2, the 5190 and 5194 tape drives are supported by
different software releases:
•
D20.02 or later D-series release is required for the 5190 tape drive with the MFC.
•
D30.01+ or later D-series release is required for the 5194 tape drive with the MFC.
Each MFC can operate only one tape drive CRU. Each tape drive CRU in a module
must be attached to a different MFC using separate SCSI cables. The MFC
RS-232/SCSI BIC has a 50-pin connector for communicating with the cartridge tape
drive through a cable. Figure 1-5 shows the MFC logic board and RS-232/SCSI BIC.
Table 1-4. Tape Controller Comparison for NonStop Himalaya K-Series Servers
Tape
Controller
Cable
Type
Cable
Length
Drives
Supported Notes
MFC SCSI 3 meters
(10 feet) to
23 meters
(75 feet)
One MFCs are standard in all system cabinets
except K10000 or K20000 (MC-32 I/O)
cabinets.
A SCSI BIC is required for the MFC.
3216
controller
Fiber-
optic
Up to 2 km One or two Controller must be purchased separately.
A back-end board (BEB) is required for
the 3216 controller.