| There are three basic types of SCSI connectors:
o 50pol IEEE
o 68pol miniature
o 50pol miniature
The 50pol IEEE connector which is defined in the DEC SCSI standard
is simply to big to be used on a single slot module. The cutout on the
frontpanel would be too big and in case two SCSI modules are sitting
next to each other there would be a conflict with the connectors on
the cable.
The 68pol Honda connector (does not neccessarily have to be Honda)
is also defined in the DEC SCSI standard. It is widely used in the
western hemisphere and the so-called 'P-cable' which consists of
a SCSI cable, an IEEE connector and an 68pol Honda connector is a
de-facto standard in industry. This connector usually can be found
on SCSI initiators like the VAXstation 3100.
The 50pol miniature connector is the Japanese version of the 68pol
connector. It is mainly used in Far East but these days it finds
more and more acceptance in Europe and the US. It is almost a shrunk
version of the 50pol IEEE connector. At the time the KAV30 was being
designed this connector was not defined in the DEC SCSI standard nor
did the DEC SCSI Strategy Paper mention it. It was not supported at all
by DEC. If we would have used it on the KAV30 the EIC would have to provide
at least 6 different versions of SCSI cables, worldwide, for the next
12 years.
I agree, the 50pol miniature connector is technically the smartest
solution but not the best to be used on the KAV30 or probably other
DEC products.
Regards,
Karl-Heinz
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