1. Identification of Proposed Project 1.1 Title: SCSI Information Bulletins 1.2 Proposer This project is proposed by the X3T9 Technical Committee. For additional information, please contact John B. Lohmeyer, X3T9.2 Chairman, at NCR Corporation, 3718 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS 67226 (Phone: 316-636-8703 FAX: 316-636-8889). 1.3 Date Submitted: October 19, 1990 1.4 Project Type: Technical Information Bulletin 2. Justification of Proposed Standard or Technical Report 2.1 Needs The SCSI-2 standard was approved by ANSI on August 31, 1990. This is a large and complex document of nearly 600 pages. Three requests for interpretation have already been received and it is quite possible that additional interpretations will be required. This project will fulfill the need for a uniform method of disseminating interpretations to ANSI X3.131-1990. 2.2 Recommended Scope of Standard or Technical Report To develop Technical Information Bulletins addressing X3.131-1990. The interpretations to be developed by X3T9 do not have any impact on the SCSI-2 standard but will be available as guidelines for those who request them. 2.3 Existing Practice in Area of Proposed Standard or Technical Report There is no existing practice in interpreting ANS X3.131-1990. However, X3 has approved the dissemination of Technical Information Bulletins on COBOL, FORTRAN, and GKS. 2.4 Expected Stability of Proposed Standard or Technical Report with Respect to Current and Potential Technological Advance The proposed SCSI Information Bulletins will be built on the standard specifications of ANS X3.131-1990. 3. Description of Proposed Project 3.1 Type of Document (Standard or Technical Report): Technical Information Bulletin 3.2 Definition of Concepts and Special Terms (if any): none 3.3 Expected Relationship with Approved X3 Reference Models (e.g., DBMS, OSI) Not applicable. 3.4 Recommended Program of Work The interpretations will be developed by X3T9.2 and will be submitted for approval by X3T9 and X3, for release by X3 in order to provide interpretations as quickly as possible in response to questions raised. 3.5 Resources - Individuals and Organizations Competent in Subject Matter The members of X3T9.2 are prepared to begin development of this bulletin. 3.6 Recommended X3 Development Technical Committees (Existing or New) It is recommended that the development work be done in task group X3T9.2 which was responsible for developing the SCSI-2 standard. 3.7 Anticipated Frequency and Duration of Meetings Task group X3T9.2 meets for two days bi-monthly. Specific task ad hoc groups are called as may be required for one to three days between the regular meetings but their results are not binding. 3.8 Target Date for dpANS to X3 (Milestone 10): The first SCSI Information Bulletin is expected to be completed in February 1991. Additional bulletins will be submitted as required. 3.9 Estimated Useful Life of Standard or Technical Report The SCSI Information Bulletins will be useful during the life of ANS X3.131- 1990. 4. Implementation Impacts 4.1 Impact on Existing User Practices and Investments There should be little impact on existing practices and investments. These bulletins should serve to minimize the impact of inconsistent implementations. 4.2 Impact on Supplier Products and Support There should be improved understanding of ANS X3.131-1990 for suppliers products and support. 4.3 Techniques and Costs for Compliance Verification Compliance with Technical Information Bulletins is strictly voluntary. Any verification efforts will be developed by the organizations of the participants in X3T9 and its assigned task group. With this method all costs are borne by the organizations of the various participants and have for the most part been mainly an adjunct of their normal development costs. 4.4 Legal Considerations Each SCSI Information Bulletin will contain a disclaimer as required by the SD-2. 5. Closely Related Standards Activities 5.1 Existing Standards There are no existing SCSI Information Bulletins. 5.2 X3 Standards Development Projects The SCSI-3 development project (685-D) should benefit from the interpretations in the SCSI Information Bulletins. 5.3 X3/SPARC Study Groups: none 5.4 Other Related Domestic Standards Efforts: none 5.5 ISO Standards Development Projects IS 9316 (SCSI-1) has been published. DP 10288 (SCSI-2) is in development in ISO JTC1/SC25 WG4. The later project should also benefit from the SCSI Information Bulletins. 5.6 Other Related International Standards Development Projects ECMA SCSI (ECMA-111:1985). This is partly equivalent to ANSI SCSI-1 (X3.131- 1986). There are no current development activities within ECMA on SCSI. 5.7 Recommendations for Coordinating Liaison: none 5.8 Recommendations for Close Liaison: none