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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:	AMIGA NOTES
Notice:	Join us in the NEW conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:	HYDRA::MOORE

Created:	Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:	Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5378
Total number of notes:	38326

1624.0. "Supra software for SCSI interface" by WJG::GUINEAU () Wed Aug 24 1988 14:35

I just spoke with Supra on thier SCSI interface for the A500.

The current version of the software is 4.3 (I have 2.4!). This version
works with the Fast File System (FFS).

to get it:

	1. Send your old disk + $5.00 to
		Supra
		1133 Comercial Way
		Albany, OR. 97321

	2. Get the ARC file off PLINK,BIX,COMPUSERVE

If you send in your old disk and ask for the "Device Driver Documentation"
they will include info on programming the interface directly.

John

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1624.1	New SW is much improved	WJG::GUINEAU		`Mon Aug 29 1988 09:40`	17
	Well, thanks to Ed Acciardi, I tried out the new Supra 4.3 software. This is a must. Even without FFS, it's a noticeable speed improvement. ICONs just "appear" (well, almost). FFS makes it even more so. They have significantly enhanced the format program. It now knows about disks/controllers that I've never even heard of. Still uses SupraMount instead of the Amiga mountlist. I've sent away for the device driver docs. John
1624.2	Supra on the Move!	WJG::GUINEAU	Not enough moving parts	`Fri Sep 30 1988 09:24`	46
	I just recieved my update disk from Supra. Came with a cover sheet. [reproduced withOUT permission whatsoever] "Whew! Here it is! Delivered at last! A really fast SupraBoot Disk!" Expecting version 4.3 (the "latest") with what I really wanted - the device driver docs - I got: Version 5.1 NO driver docs :-( Although v5.1 looks real good. "We participated with Commodore et al., in establishing a true standard for the format of hard disks on the Amigha. The 5.1 software is a major upgrade that incorporates the new standard." They have a new device driver for the Amiga 500 or 1000, named SCSIDISK.DEVICE. This driver implements a "pseudo-DMA protocol with blind reads". This provides a 3 times speed increase for reads on the 500 or 1000. The default driver is HARDDISK.DEVICE. However putting "SupraMount -s" in the startup (instead of just "SupraMount") invokes the SCSIDISK.DEVICE. (the 2000 always uses DMADISK.DEVICE). They say the new driver works with most controller/drive combinations, however They warn: "If you experience frequent read/write error requestors, or if your particular drive fails to boot properly, you will need to delete the -s option from the SupraMount line..." YIKES! Well, the do warn you to BACK UP YOUR DISK. I haven't installed this stuff yet. I'm going to write a real quick performance program (real simple. Random seeks, Random read lengths and measure the time averaged over 1000 or so seeks) To see how 4.3 and 5.1 compare. The how 5.1 HARDDISK.DEVICE and 5.1 SCSIDISK.DEVICE compare. (BTW are there any real performance programs out there?) More later... John
1624.3	DISKPERF	LEDS::ACCIARDI		`Fri Sep 30 1988 10:17`	6
	There was a DISKPERF program going around, but I never tried it. Anyone on the e-net here have it? I think it may be on Fred Fish number nn or something. Ed.