Castle have created a universal SCSI filing system for the Iyonix PC. According to Castle, "This gives the ability for third party companies to create or update drivers for a wide range of SCSI cards (both PCI and podule)". It opens the way for Iyonix PC users to connect a wide range of new SCSI devices to their system, and hopefully devices used with earlier RISC OS systems too.

Existing SCSI podule cards can (theoretically) be used with the Iyonix - support for Acorn and Castle SCSI cards will "arrive shortly". Manufacturers of other SCSI cards will have to update their software using tools provided by Castle. Whichever card is used, drivers for the SCSI devices are still required. Drivers are provided by various suppliers - ones for hard drives, CD drives, removeable media and Epson scanners are already available, and Mustek scanners and Nikon CoolScan2 film scanners are on the way.

Castle have also updated the software for their Risc PC / A7000 USB cards to match that provided with the Iyonix. Supported USB hardware includes mice, keyboards, hubs, graphics tablets, and conventional, film and bar code scanners - although some devices may require specific drivers. It still isn't possible to take any "off the shelf" USB device and expect it to work, at least to its full potential - best ask Castle before buying.

This work is of course separate to the Simtec USB protocol. Leading the way with Simtec compatible drivers are Stuart Tyrrell (MP3, wireless networking, keyboards, mice) and Surftec (compact flash).

Links:
Castle SCSI information
Castle USB support and developer resources