home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Vectronix 2
/
VECTRONIX2.iso
/
FILES_07
/
DISK_332.LZH
/
DISKUS.332
/
HDDRIVER
/
XHDI.125
/
INTRO.ENG
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1995-10-29
|
3KB
|
87 lines
@(#)XHDI/intro.eng
@(#)Julian F. Reschke, 2. Oktober 1994
The purpose of the XHDI (`eXtended HardDisk Interface') specification is
to enhance the communication with drivers for block oriented mass
storage media. We started with the thought to create a uniform interface
for some additional driver features. One goal was to create a standard
method for virtual memory systems to lock the eject button of Syquest
harddisk drives (you don't want the user to remove the cartridge with
the swap partition).
After further discussion, it was clear that the information available
via the PUN_INFO structure just wasn't enough and that the missing
information should be available with the help of this XHDI
specification. Reasons:
- the PUN_INFO structure only has room for 16 devices, but BIOS (and
some GEMDOS replacements) allow 32 devices
- it is impossible to install more than one AHDI compatible harddisk
driver in the system (there is only one PUN_INFO structure).
- Atari's definition of device numbers only works for drives with
Logical Unit Number 0.
For these reasons, the purpose of the XHDI specification (version 1.25) is:
- to provide more information about the installed devices
- to support new driver features like Stop/Start or Lock/Unlock.
The XHDI specification doesn't define new driver features -- it should
be easy to retrofit it into existing drivers.
For questions and suggestions, ask:
Julian F. Reschke
Hensenstrasse 142
D-48161 Muenster
email: jr@ms.maus.de
People involved in this specification ([eMail address], (product
name/company))
Stefan Baucke [Stephan_Baucke@ac.maus.de]
Michael Bernards [Michael_Bernards@k2.maus.de] (Rufus, Creativ/Color Concept)
Claus Brod [Claus_Brod@bb.maus.de] (Scheibenkleister, Maxon)
Stefan Eissing [Stefan_Eissing@st.maus.de] (Gemini)
Alexander Herzlinger [herzling@rhrk.uni-kl.de] (VRAM, OverScan)
Johannes Hill [Johannes_Hill@wi2.maus.de] (TempleMon)
Karsten Isakovic [Karsten_Isakovic@b.maus.de] (SysMon, OverScan)
Hans-Dieter Jankowski [Hans-Dieter_Jankowki@un.maus.de] (HuSHI, Hard & Soft)
Laurenz Prü₧ner [Laurenz_Pruessner@b.maus.de]
Julian Reschke [jr@ms.maus.de] (SCSI-Tool, Hard & Soft)
Hansi Richstein [Hansi_Richstein@ac3.maus.de] (Kobold, Kaktus)
Uwe Seimet [seimet@rhrk.uni-kl.de] (Diskus, CCD)
Eric Smith [ersmith@netcom.com] (MiNT)
Dirk Steins [Dirk_Steins@k2.maus.de] (ProStream, Protar)
New in XHDI 1.10
----------------
- IDE specific documentation completed
- new functions to support non-GEMDOS filesystems
New in XHDI 1.20
----------------
- Support for more advanced DOS versions
- Support for MS DOS partition types
Neu in XHDI 1.25
----------------
- New status calls
- better support for parking of drives
- comments on arbitration