Solid State Disks Introduces SCSIFlash-Fast Product Range

[T0@st]

Solid State Disks Ltd. (SSDL), a leading manufacturer of solid-state-drives (SSDs) and a value-added reseller (VAR) of latest-technology Flash and DRAM solutions, has launched SCSIFlash-Fast, a swap-in upgrade/replacement for electromechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) that use the SCSI interface. Initially available with 68- and 80-pin connectors and write speeds of up to 80 MB/s, SCSIFlash-Fast uses proven SCSI drive architecture and industrial CFast or M.2 SSD memory (with storage capacities ranging from 2 GB to 1 TB). The drive features configurable hardware, allowing the OEMs of (or those responsible for maintaining) legacy systems to replace or upgrade obsolete HDDs that were made in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and improve system reliability and security.

James Hilken, SSDL's Sales & Marketing Director, says: "There are several computer-based systems in use within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, medical, telecommunications and other sectors that were designed decades ago and were fitted with then state-of-the-art SCSI hard disk drives. With their moving parts, these long-obsolete drives are increasingly failing. Our SCSIFlash-Fast drive is a highly reliable swap-in replacement for virtually any SCSI hard disk drive that's more than 20 years old." SCSIFlash-Fast is configured to order and can replicate the exact behavior of the SCSI HDD it replaces, meaning no modifications need to be made to the host system; which in many cases must not be modified (i.e. its functionality has been certified) or it is simply not cost-effective to do so. With SSDL's SCSIFlash-Fast, the SCSI version is set to that of the host system (SASI, SCSI-1, SCSI-2 or Ultra3) and the disk sector size is set to 256, 512, 768, 1024, 2048 or 4096. Other configurations can also be applied, including the preloading of data.




"We have made it possible to remove an old-tech SCSI drive and insert a SCSIFlash-Fast and the host system will not detect the difference," adds Hilken. "Also, because ours is a solid-state drive it is far more reliable than the drive it replaces, is more secure, draws less power and is quieter. It can also be networked, thanks to an optional Ethernet port, which means it can be accessed remotely for backs ups and system reboots, for example."

Other SCSIFlash-Fast features include its ability to automatically detect 16- or 8-bit data operation, as well as single-ended (SE) and low voltage different (LVD) signalling. Also, more than one SCSI address and logical unit number (LUN) can be supported by a single unit, and its microcode is field upgradable via USB.

SCSIFlash-Fast requires a 5VDC supply and will consume just 0.8 W (plus whatever power the storage media draws, which will vary depending on memory type). The form factor is an industry-standard 3.5" disk drive (102 x 147 x 25 mm (W x L x H)).



SCSIFlash-Fast is available immediately and detailed datasheets of the two launch drives can be viewed and downloaded from www.solidstatedisks.com/legacy-tapes-drives.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[thesmokingman]

That is so scuzzy!

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

LOL this brings back memories! I guess some old systems that are still around still need it. There are plenty of dinosaurs that run old ass BSD or SOLARIS that still use them and are going strong and can't be replaced because reasons.

 

[delshay]

This brings back memories from my amiga days ..Still have lots of SCSI stuff here from CD/DVD/Hardrive to ultra rare 3.5" inch dual PCMCIA card reader, all has SCSI Interface.. ..Remember SCSI was very fast then with DMA (Direct Memory Access).

 

[LabRat 891]

SCSI is supported on some absolutely ancient kit. Nice!
Personally, I can't wait until we see these trickle into the retro enthusiast community.

Let the "Off-Label Use" commence!

 

[1d10t]

Still had over 4 HPE systems running ~12 Ultra320 80 pins as backup. Though a bit late, it's still nice rendition for an old system that gets a new energy drink.

 

[PLAfiller]

That is so scuzzy!

Just learned a new word in English, thank you!

 

[Wirko]

Just learned a new word in English, thank you!

It was sexy in its early days, but soon someone found it not-safe-for-work. Then it stopped being sexy. In ~1990, when I bought my first PC with a 48 MB SCSI hard disk, it was already scuzzy. A faster interface didn't make a big difference; the rust behind it was as slow as any other rust.

Remember SCSI was very fast then with DMA (Direct Memory Access).

What about plain consumer HDD interfaces and controllers, which I forgot the names of, and might have been proprietary too? Did they not have DMA, and did the CPU have to send and receive bytes one by one?

 

[L'Eliminateur]

Still this emulator is limited to Ultra-3 speeds(80MB/s), so not very fast even for SCSI standards.

I'm guessing that for anything above that it would need a way-more-expensive FPGA (still this solution is probably "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" considering there's NO pricing on the article at all) or bridge chip.
I wonder if they're using a "new old stock" SCSI interface chip(SCSI to PCI for example or to some bus, like ones used in HDDs themselves) or they have implemented the SCSI PHY in software on their FPGA with some level shifters in the middle.

One thing i find odd is that they have a ethernet port for out-of-band management but require USB connection for firmware update??, that's quite the design fail