Book of SCSI 2/E (Paperback)

by Gary Field (Author), Peter Ridge (Author) "We begin this adventure by getting the lay of the land, so to speak: some basic vocabulary followed by a short background on the birth..." (more)
Key Phrases: peripheral device type, host adapter number, synchronous data transfer option, Bytes Description, Hdr Rsvd, Future Domain (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Graphical operating systems went a long way toward improving the usability of Intel-compatible computers, but they only can do so much to sugar coat the underlying hardware design. The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) standards, however, simplify the hookup and configuration of disks, scanners, and other peripheral devices. In The Book of SCSI, engineer Gary Field and his colleagues explain the SCSI specifications in practical detail, revealing all the information you should need to fix SCSI systems that don't work quite right. The information is up to date, with new coverage of the SCSI-3 specification, expanded RAID-under-SCSI material, and a thorough section on Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) programming; all of which makes this new edition more than worth its cover price, even if you own the earlier version.

Although it addresses the fundamentals of SCSI configuration, this book's primary value is as a no-kidding electrical engineering and programming text on the low-level characteristics of SCSI communication. This is the book you want if you're involved in designing physical SCSI devices or writing software drivers for SCSI devices. The book goes heavy on tables that list jumper settings, as well as state diagrams and signal references. Despite its commendable depth, it's easy to read and likely contains the answers to your SCSI questions, even if they don't have to do with low-level signaling. --David Wall

Topics covered: The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) family of hardware interconnection standards, viewed mainly (but not entirely) in great detail. An overview of SCSI (with special focus on the SCSI-3 standard), along with coverage of cables and terminators, software device drivers, RAID implementations under SCSI, and troubleshooting hints. The Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) tutorial and reference is great, as is the practical comparison of IDE and SCSI disks.

Product Description
The market for PC SCSI is exploding, but even people with technical backgrounds aren't quite sure what to do with it. Pronounced "scuzzy", SCSI stands for Small Computer Systems Interface. The main goal of using a SCSI device to make systems more expandable and flexible. Rather than connecting only one device to each bus slot on the computer, SCSI allows users to connect up to seven peripherals (such as scanners, printers, optical drives, tape backups, and hard drives) to the SCSI bus. Written in a conversational style, without the incomprehensible technical talk so often found in computer books, The Book of SCSI 2nd Edition shows users how to install, configure, and optimize their SCSI systems. Despite the introduction of Plug-and-Play for PCs, the computer won't configure devices itself. Users must accomplish this confusing task themselves. The fist part of this book discusses and explains the kinds of devices available for use with SCSI. The second part offers in-depth coverage of installation and troubleshooting. Lastly, the book provides a secure guide and technical reference for SCSI, including a handy manufacturers contact list, buyers' guide, and a glossary.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press; 2 edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886411107
• ISBN-13: 978-1886411104
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #430,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on SCSI there is. Informative & easy to read., December 16, 2000

By	Mark (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews

It is wonderful to finally see an update to a classic computer book. Having read and absorbed every aspect of the first edition of "The Book of SCSI," I have been anxiously awaiting a second edition. SCSI is (in my opinion) the best computer interface out there. Unfortunately, it is a very misunderstood interface, even by seasoned pros in the field. SCSI did suffer from problems in its earliest iterations, thus tainting its reputation early on; however, it has subsequently evolved into a powerful standard. "The Book of SCSI" explains SCSI in detail, yet surprising simplicity. Upon reading this book, the reader will certainly have a full and authoritative understanding of SCSI. Furthermore, the book serves as an excellent reference on the differences between, and the evolution of, the different "flavors" of SCSI: SCSI-2, Ultra-SCSI, Ultra/Wide-SCSI, etc.

The book also has, by far, the finest explanation of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives) that I have ever seen (and I have read many books on computer hardware). The only unfortunate aspect of a book of this nature is that with the time involved in publishing a book, the book is almost out dated by the time it hits the shelves. SCSI is currently in an explosive growth state with new standards coming out at least yearly. A companion website with information on the latest SCSI standards would be a very welcome addition to this book. Fortunately though, since SCSI is an evolutionary standard, having a firm grasp on SCSI fundamentals and early standards -- which this book will most certainly give you - it is relatively easy to learn the new standards.

In summary, "The Book of SCSI" is an outstanding technical book that is well written, easy to read, and full of detail and information. Whether you are a computer novice or seasoned professional, you will learn something from this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most up-to-date book on SCSI, August 21, 2000

By	Stephen A. Rose (Billerica, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the best books on SCSI (scuzzy) I've read. "The Book of SCSI" belongs on the self of every technical library. Gary Field's book on SCSI has the potential to become what Charles Petzold's book is to Windows programming. Even though this book is technical enough to be considered by some as a standard reference on SCSI, it is an easy read. Advanced users of SCSI will appreciate the easily referenced technical details. Neophytes will appreciate the author's simple and clear explanation for everything and anything related to SCSI.

The book has the latest information on SCSI 3 (including Ultra2/LVD), RAID, SCSI test equipment, and device drivers.

The book also has a good mix of SCSI information on the different operating systems including DOS, Macintosh, NetWare, Unix, and four flavors of Windows. One thing missing from "The Book of SCSI", however, is any mention of Windows 2000 and ASPI for Win64. Is Mr. Field perhaps saving this information for "The Book of SCSI" - 3rd Edition?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Introductory book on SCSI, February 29, 2004

By	J. Turner (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a consultant, my motto has always been, "learn fast or die." Fickle customers simply don't want to pay you to figure things out. As a result, when a project involves something I'm not intimately familiar with, I beg, borrow, or steal every book I can get my hands on. I compulsively try to learn everything I can to become an expert, or at least be able to speak authoritatively.

This time around, a SCSI project landed on my desk. So how did this book stack up against the others? Here is my opinion.

This book is, hands down, the best written introductory book on SCSI available. The authors take pains to clearly describe the evolution of SCSI, why you should use it, how to connect SCSI devices, and troubleshooting. They even describe why a cable has to be terminated, in detail. Administrators and technicians studying for the A+ exam will simply love this book.

Programmers, on the other hand, will come up wanting. The actual protocol isn't discussed, only ASPI. Examples are given in assembly (for DOS), and Delphi. ASPI is discussed for DOS, Win 3.1, NT, and OS2.

If you are looking for an introductory book that explains SCSI in basic, high-level terms, this is your book. On the other hand, if you are seeking a book to help you jump start your application development, look elsewhere.