1 .. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0 1 .. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
2 2
3 =================================== 3 ===================================
4 The BusLogic FlashPoint SCSI Driver 4 The BusLogic FlashPoint SCSI Driver
5 =================================== 5 ===================================
6 6
7 The BusLogic FlashPoint SCSI Host Adapters are 7 The BusLogic FlashPoint SCSI Host Adapters are now fully supported on Linux.
8 The upgrade program described below has been o 8 The upgrade program described below has been officially terminated effective
9 31 March 1997 since it is no longer needed. 9 31 March 1997 since it is no longer needed.
10 10
11 :: 11 ::
12 12
13 MYLEX INTRODUCES LINUX OPERATING SYS 13 MYLEX INTRODUCES LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR ITS
14 BUSLOGIC FLASHPOINT LINE OF SCSI 14 BUSLOGIC FLASHPOINT LINE OF SCSI HOST ADAPTERS
15 15
16 16
17 FREMONT, CA, -- October 8, 1996 -- Mylex Cor 17 FREMONT, CA, -- October 8, 1996 -- Mylex Corporation has expanded Linux
18 operating system support to its BusLogic bra 18 operating system support to its BusLogic brand of FlashPoint Ultra SCSI
19 host adapters. All of BusLogic's other SCSI 19 host adapters. All of BusLogic's other SCSI host adapters, including the
20 MultiMaster line, currently support the Linu 20 MultiMaster line, currently support the Linux operating system. Linux
21 drivers and information will be available on 21 drivers and information will be available on October 15th at
22 http://sourceforge.net/projects/dandelion/. 22 http://sourceforge.net/projects/dandelion/.
23 23
24 "Mylex is committed to supporting the Linux 24 "Mylex is committed to supporting the Linux community," says Peter Shambora,
25 vice president of marketing for Mylex. "We 25 vice president of marketing for Mylex. "We have supported Linux driver
26 development and provided technical support f 26 development and provided technical support for our host adapters for several
27 years, and are pleased to now make our Flash 27 years, and are pleased to now make our FlashPoint products available to this
28 user base." 28 user base."
29 29
30 The Linux Operating System 30 The Linux Operating System
31 ========================== 31 ==========================
32 32
33 Linux is a freely-distributed implementation o 33 Linux is a freely-distributed implementation of UNIX for Intel x86, Sun
34 SPARC, SGI MIPS, Motorola 68k, Digital Alpha A 34 SPARC, SGI MIPS, Motorola 68k, Digital Alpha AXP and Motorola PowerPC
35 machines. It supports a wide range of softwar 35 machines. It supports a wide range of software, including the X Window
36 System, Emacs, and TCP/IP networking. Further 36 System, Emacs, and TCP/IP networking. Further information is available at
37 http://www.linux.org and http://www.ssc.com/. 37 http://www.linux.org and http://www.ssc.com/.
38 38
39 FlashPoint Host Adapters 39 FlashPoint Host Adapters
40 ======================== 40 ========================
41 41
42 The FlashPoint family of Ultra SCSI host adapt 42 The FlashPoint family of Ultra SCSI host adapters, designed for workstation
43 and file server environments, are available in 43 and file server environments, are available in narrow, wide, dual channel,
44 and dual channel wide versions. These adapter 44 and dual channel wide versions. These adapters feature SeqEngine
45 automation technology, which minimizes SCSI co 45 automation technology, which minimizes SCSI command overhead and reduces
46 the number of interrupts generated to the CPU. 46 the number of interrupts generated to the CPU.
47 47
48 About Mylex 48 About Mylex
49 =========== 49 ===========
50 50
51 Mylex Corporation (NASDAQ/NM SYMBOL: MYLX), fo 51 Mylex Corporation (NASDAQ/NM SYMBOL: MYLX), founded in 1983, is a leading
52 producer of RAID technology and network manage 52 producer of RAID technology and network management products. The company
53 produces high performance disk array (RAID) co 53 produces high performance disk array (RAID) controllers, and complementary
54 computer products for network servers, mass st 54 computer products for network servers, mass storage systems, workstations
55 and system boards. Through its wide range of 55 and system boards. Through its wide range of RAID controllers and its
56 BusLogic line of Ultra SCSI host adapter produ 56 BusLogic line of Ultra SCSI host adapter products, Mylex provides enabling
57 intelligent I/O technologies that increase net 57 intelligent I/O technologies that increase network management control,
58 enhance CPU utilization, optimize I/O performa 58 enhance CPU utilization, optimize I/O performance, and ensure data security
59 and availability. Products are sold globally 59 and availability. Products are sold globally through a network of OEMs,
60 major distributors, VARs, and system integrato 60 major distributors, VARs, and system integrators. Mylex Corporation is
61 headquartered at 34551 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremon 61 headquartered at 34551 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont, CA.
62 62
63 Contact: 63 Contact:
64 ======== 64 ========
65 65
66 :: 66 ::
67 67
68 Peter Shambora 68 Peter Shambora
69 Vice President of Marketing 69 Vice President of Marketing
70 Mylex Corp. 70 Mylex Corp.
71 510/796-6100 71 510/796-6100
72 peters@mylex.com 72 peters@mylex.com
73 73
74 74
75 :: 75 ::
76 76
77 ANNOUNCEMENT 77 ANNOUNCEMENT
78 BusLogic FlashPoint LT/BT-948 U 78 BusLogic FlashPoint LT/BT-948 Upgrade Program
79 1 February 1996 79 1 February 1996
80 80
81 ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEM 81 ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
82 BusLogic FlashPoint LW/BT-958 U 82 BusLogic FlashPoint LW/BT-958 Upgrade Program
83 14 June 1996 83 14 June 1996
84 84
85 Ever since its introduction last October, th 85 Ever since its introduction last October, the BusLogic FlashPoint LT has
86 been problematic for members of the Linux co 86 been problematic for members of the Linux community, in that no Linux
87 drivers have been available for this new Ult 87 drivers have been available for this new Ultra SCSI product. Despite its
88 officially being positioned as a desktop wor 88 officially being positioned as a desktop workstation product, and not being
89 particularly well suited for a high performa 89 particularly well suited for a high performance multitasking operating
90 system like Linux, the FlashPoint LT has bee 90 system like Linux, the FlashPoint LT has been touted by computer system
91 vendors as the latest thing, and has been so 91 vendors as the latest thing, and has been sold even on many of their high
92 end systems, to the exclusion of the older M 92 end systems, to the exclusion of the older MultiMaster products. This has
93 caused grief for many people who inadvertent 93 caused grief for many people who inadvertently purchased a system expecting
94 that all BusLogic SCSI Host Adapters were su 94 that all BusLogic SCSI Host Adapters were supported by Linux, only to
95 discover that the FlashPoint was not support 95 discover that the FlashPoint was not supported and would not be for quite
96 some time, if ever. 96 some time, if ever.
97 97
98 After this problem was identified, BusLogic 98 After this problem was identified, BusLogic contacted its major OEM
99 customers to make sure the BT-946C/956C Mult 99 customers to make sure the BT-946C/956C MultiMaster cards would still be
100 made available, and that Linux users who mis 100 made available, and that Linux users who mistakenly ordered systems with
101 the FlashPoint would be able to upgrade to t 101 the FlashPoint would be able to upgrade to the BT-946C. While this helped
102 many purchasers of new systems, it was only 102 many purchasers of new systems, it was only a partial solution to the
103 overall problem of FlashPoint support for Li 103 overall problem of FlashPoint support for Linux users. It did nothing to
104 assist the people who initially purchased a 104 assist the people who initially purchased a FlashPoint for a supported
105 operating system and then later decided to r 105 operating system and then later decided to run Linux, or those who had
106 ended up with a FlashPoint LT, believing it 106 ended up with a FlashPoint LT, believing it was supported, and were unable
107 to return it. 107 to return it.
108 108
109 In the middle of December, I asked to meet w 109 In the middle of December, I asked to meet with BusLogic's senior
110 management to discuss the issues related to 110 management to discuss the issues related to Linux and free software support
111 for the FlashPoint. Rumors of varying accur 111 for the FlashPoint. Rumors of varying accuracy had been circulating
112 publicly about BusLogic's attitude toward th 112 publicly about BusLogic's attitude toward the Linux community, and I felt
113 it was best that these issues be addressed d 113 it was best that these issues be addressed directly. I sent an email
114 message after 11pm one evening, and the meet 114 message after 11pm one evening, and the meeting took place the next
115 afternoon. Unfortunately, corporate wheels 115 afternoon. Unfortunately, corporate wheels sometimes grind slowly,
116 especially when a company is being acquired, 116 especially when a company is being acquired, and so it's taken until now
117 before the details were completely determine 117 before the details were completely determined and a public statement could
118 be made. 118 be made.
119 119
120 BusLogic is not prepared at this time to rel 120 BusLogic is not prepared at this time to release the information necessary
121 for third parties to write drivers for the F 121 for third parties to write drivers for the FlashPoint. The only existing
122 FlashPoint drivers have been written directl 122 FlashPoint drivers have been written directly by BusLogic Engineering, and
123 there is no FlashPoint documentation suffici 123 there is no FlashPoint documentation sufficiently detailed to allow outside
124 developers to write a driver without substan 124 developers to write a driver without substantial assistance. While there
125 are people at BusLogic who would rather not 125 are people at BusLogic who would rather not release the details of the
126 FlashPoint architecture at all, that debate 126 FlashPoint architecture at all, that debate has not yet been settled either
127 way. In any event, even if documentation we 127 way. In any event, even if documentation were available today it would
128 take quite a while for a usable driver to be 128 take quite a while for a usable driver to be written, especially since I'm
129 not convinced that the effort required would 129 not convinced that the effort required would be worthwhile.
130 130
131 However, BusLogic does remain committed to p 131 However, BusLogic does remain committed to providing a high performance
132 SCSI solution for the Linux community, and d 132 SCSI solution for the Linux community, and does not want to see anyone left
133 unable to run Linux because they have a Flas 133 unable to run Linux because they have a Flashpoint LT. Therefore, BusLogic
134 has put in place a direct upgrade program to 134 has put in place a direct upgrade program to allow any Linux user worldwide
135 to trade in their FlashPoint LT for the new 135 to trade in their FlashPoint LT for the new BT-948 MultiMaster PCI Ultra
136 SCSI Host Adapter. The BT-948 is the Ultra 136 SCSI Host Adapter. The BT-948 is the Ultra SCSI successor to the BT-946C
137 and has all the best features of both the BT 137 and has all the best features of both the BT-946C and FlashPoint LT,
138 including smart termination and a flash PROM 138 including smart termination and a flash PROM for easy firmware updates, and
139 is of course compatible with the present Lin 139 is of course compatible with the present Linux driver. The price for this
140 upgrade has been set at US $45 plus shipping 140 upgrade has been set at US $45 plus shipping and handling, and the upgrade
141 program will be administered through BusLogi 141 program will be administered through BusLogic Technical Support, which can
142 be reached by electronic mail at techsup@bus 142 be reached by electronic mail at techsup@buslogic.com, by Voice at +1 408
143 654-0760, or by FAX at +1 408 492-1542. 143 654-0760, or by FAX at +1 408 492-1542.
144 144
145 As of 14 June 1996, the original BusLogic Fl 145 As of 14 June 1996, the original BusLogic FlashPoint LT to BT-948 upgrade
146 program has now been extended to encompass t 146 program has now been extended to encompass the FlashPoint LW Wide Ultra
147 SCSI Host Adapter. Any Linux user worldwide 147 SCSI Host Adapter. Any Linux user worldwide may trade in their FlashPoint
148 LW (BT-950) for a BT-958 MultiMaster PCI Ult 148 LW (BT-950) for a BT-958 MultiMaster PCI Ultra SCSI Host Adapter. The
149 price for this upgrade has been set at US $6 149 price for this upgrade has been set at US $65 plus shipping and handling.
150 150
151 I was a beta test site for the BT-948/958, a 151 I was a beta test site for the BT-948/958, and versions 1.2.1 and 1.3.1 of
152 my BusLogic driver already included latent s 152 my BusLogic driver already included latent support for the BT-948/958.
153 Additional cosmetic support for the Ultra SC 153 Additional cosmetic support for the Ultra SCSI MultiMaster cards was added
154 subsequent releases. As a result of this co 154 subsequent releases. As a result of this cooperative testing process,
155 several firmware bugs were found and correct 155 several firmware bugs were found and corrected. My heavily loaded Linux
156 test system provided an ideal environment fo 156 test system provided an ideal environment for testing error recovery
157 processes that are much more rarely exercise 157 processes that are much more rarely exercised in production systems, but
158 are crucial to overall system stability. It 158 are crucial to overall system stability. It was especially convenient
159 being able to work directly with their firmw 159 being able to work directly with their firmware engineer in demonstrating
160 the problems under control of the firmware d 160 the problems under control of the firmware debugging environment; things
161 sure have come a long way since the last tim 161 sure have come a long way since the last time I worked on firmware for an
162 embedded system. I am presently working on 162 embedded system. I am presently working on some performance testing and
163 expect to have some data to report in the no 163 expect to have some data to report in the not too distant future.
164 164
165 BusLogic asked me to send this announcement 165 BusLogic asked me to send this announcement since a large percentage of the
166 questions regarding support for the FlashPoi 166 questions regarding support for the FlashPoint have either been sent to me
167 directly via email, or have appeared in the 167 directly via email, or have appeared in the Linux newsgroups in which I
168 participate. To summarize, BusLogic is offe 168 participate. To summarize, BusLogic is offering Linux users an upgrade
169 from the unsupported FlashPoint LT (BT-930) 169 from the unsupported FlashPoint LT (BT-930) to the supported BT-948 for US
170 $45 plus shipping and handling, or from the 170 $45 plus shipping and handling, or from the unsupported FlashPoint LW
171 (BT-950) to the supported BT-958 for $65 plu 171 (BT-950) to the supported BT-958 for $65 plus shipping and handling.
172 Contact BusLogic Technical Support at techsu 172 Contact BusLogic Technical Support at techsup@buslogic.com or +1 408
173 654-0760 to take advantage of their offer. 173 654-0760 to take advantage of their offer.
174 174
175 Leonard N. Zubkoff 175 Leonard N. Zubkoff
176 lnz@dandelion.com 176 lnz@dandelion.com
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