Preface: For A Better Understanding of SCSI

Chapter I: The Basics of SCSI

• What is the SCSI Bus?
• A History of Evolution: From SASI to SCSI-3
• The SCSI Interfaces
• Initiators and Targets
• Disks, Tapes and Hosts... the SCSI Devices
• Extend the Bus Length with SCSI Expanders
• SCSI Commands Get the Job Done

Chapter II: The Parallel SCSI Interface

• Parallel SCSI Interface Alternatives and Options
• The SCSI Domain and SCSI Bus Segments
• Single-ended SCSI
• Differential SCSI
• Low Voltage Differential SCSI
• Cable Cautions
• Stubs
• The Speed Options: Asynchronous, Synchronous, Fast and Ultra SCSI
• The Data Path Options: Narrow and Wide SCSI
• Interconnecting Single-Ended and Differential SCSI
• Extending the SCSI Bus
• Interconnecting Narrow and Wide SCSI
• Troubleshooting the Parallel SCSI Interface

Chapter III: The Parallel SCSI Protocol

• SCSI Bus Phases
• Arbitration and Selection
• The Concept of SCSI Messages
• Command Transfer
• Parameter and Data Transfer
• How a SCSI Command is Completed
• Negotiating the Data Transfer Options
• Freeing the Bus: Disconnect/Reselect
• Multithreading: Tasks and Queues
• Error Handling: The Role of the Parity Bit
• SCAM - SCSI Configured AutoMatically
• Plug and Play SCSI

Chapter IV: Future SCSI Directions

• Ultra-2 SCSI and Beyond
• The Serial Interface Alternatives of SCSI-3
• Fibre Channel and FC-AL
• SSA (Serial Storage Architecture)
• P1394 (Fire Wire)
• Serial Expanders

Appendix A: System Connectors Reference

• ANSI Specified SCSI-1 Connectors
• SCSI-2 Connectors
• SCSI-3 Connectors
• Emerging Standard Connectors
• Vendor Specific Connectors

Appendix B: SCSI Terms and Abbreviations

Appendix C: Other Sources of Information

• Internet
• BBSs
• Published ANSI Specifications
• Published and Unpublished Specifications