Protecting and enhancing legacy computing systems

Solid State Disks Ltd has launched SCSIFlash-Fast, a swap-in upgrade/replacement for electromechanical HDDs that use the SCSI interface.

Initially available with 68- and 80-pin connectors and write speeds of up to 80MB/s, SCSIFlash-Fast employs proven SCSI drive architecture and industrial CFast or M.2 SSD memory (with storage capacities ranging from 2GB to 1TB). The drive provides configurable hardware, enabling the OEMs of (or those responsible for maintaining) legacy systems to replace or upgrade obsolete HDDs made in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s and enhance system reliability and security.

James Hilken, SSDL’s sales and marketing director, says: “There are several computer-based systems in use within aerospace, defence, 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.”

The solution is configured to order and can replicate the exact behaviour 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 the solution, 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. Thanks to an optional Ethernet port, it can also be networked, which means it can be accessed remotely for back ups and system reboots, for example.”

Other features include its ability to detect 16- or 8-bit data operation automatically and SE and LVD signalling. Also, a single unit can support more than one SCSI address and logical unit number (LUN), and its microcode is field upgradable via USB.

The solution needs a 5VDC supply and will consume only 0.8W (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 (102mm x 147mm x 25mm (W x L x H)).