Multi-mode SCSI diagnostic tool, system, and method
View Patent ↗An apparatus, system and method for testing a peripheral device such that the device can remain installed in a housing and connected to a communication bus such as a SCSI bus. The apparatus, system, and method include a communication port that is connectable to a peripheral device connected to a terminated communication bus. The communication port is connected to a first transceiver and a second transceiver. A microcontroller is also connected to the first transceiver and the second transceiver. The microcontroller is programmed to detect an operation mode for the peripheral device and selectively activate the first transceiver or the second transceiver based on the detected operation mode. The microcontroller is further programmed to perform a logical diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the activated transceiver. A user interface is included to communicate to a user a result of the diagnostic test.
1. An apparatus for testing a peripheral device, the apparatus comprising:
a logic device configured to be connected to a communication port and programmed to detect an operation mode for a peripheral device in communication with the communication port, selectively activate one of a first transceiver and a second transceiver based on a detected operation mode, and perform a diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the activated transceiver; and
a user interface configured to communicate with the logic device and indicate a result of the diagnostic test to a user.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device is coupled to a terminator.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic test comprises a logical diagnostic test.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic test comprises a host scan.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first transceiver is configured to operate using a high-voltage operation mode and the second transceiver is configured to operate using one of a low-voltage operation mode and a single-ended operation mode.
6. A system for testing a SCSI subsystem, the system comprising:
a SCSI subsystem having at least one SCSI port; and
a tester connectable to the SCSI port, the tester configured to communicate with the SCSI subsystem using a plurality of operation modes, conduct at least one diagnostic test on the SCSI subsystem, and report a result for the diagnostic test, wherein the SCSI subsystem further comprises a pass-through device connected to the internal SCSI bus.
7. A method for testing a peripheral device, comprising:
connecting a tester to a terminated communication bus, the tester configured to communicate over the communication bus with a peripheral device using a plurality of operation modes and to conduct a diagnostic test on the peripheral device;
conducting the diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the tester; and
reporting a result of the diagnostic test;
detecting an operation mode for the peripheral device and determining whether the operation mode of the peripheral device corresponds to the type of termination provided on the bus;
scanning the bus to determine a unique identifier for the peripheral device;
conducting a host scan of the bus using the unique identifier to test the integrity of each data line of the bus; and
issuing a logical command to the peripheral device and verifying a response provided by the peripheral device.
8. An apparatus for testing a peripheral device, the apparatus comprising:
means for connecting a tester to a terminated communication bus, the tester configured to communicate over the communication bus with a peripheral device using a plurality of operation modes and conduct a diagnostic test on the peripheral device;
means for conducting the diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the tester; and
means for reporting a result of the diagnostic test;
means for detecting an operation mode for the peripheral device and determining whether the operation mode of the peripheral device corresponds to the type of termination provided on the bus;
means for scanning the bus to determine a unique identifier for the peripheral device;
means for conducting a host scan of the bus using the unique identifier to test the integrity of each data line of the bus; and
means for issuing a logical command to the peripheral device and verifying a response provided by the peripheral device.
9. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a processor and embodying one or more instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for testing a peripheral device installed on a terminated communication bus, the method comprising:
connecting a tester to a terminated communication bus, the tester configured to communicate over the communication bus with a peripheral device using a plurality of operation modes and to conduct a diagnostic test on the peripheral device;
conducting the diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the tester; and
reporting a result of the diagnostic test;
detecting an operation mode for the peripheral device and determining whether the operation mode of the peripheral device corresponds to the type of termination provided on the bus;
scanning the bus to determine a unique identifier for the peripheral device;
conducting a host scan of the bus using the unique identifier to test the integrity of each data line of the bus; and
issuing a logical command to the peripheral device and verifying a response provided by the peripheral device.