An administrator has attached an old SCSI JBOD to a server to recover archival data. However, the array will not mount to the server. Which of the following should the administrator check FIRST?

SCSI termination is crucial for proper operation, with terminators needed at both ends of the SCSI bus (the controller and the last device), but typically not on each individual device in a JBOD. While incorrect termination can cause issues, ensuring drivers are present is a more fundamental first step for initial detection.

For an old SCSI JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) to be recognized and mounted, the server's operating system requires the appropriate device drivers for the SCSI controller card. If these drivers are missing or incompatible, the operating system will be unable to communicate with the attached hardware, preventing the array from being detected and mounted, making this the most fundamental and immediate check.

Updating the SCSI BIOS (firmware) is a less common and more advanced troubleshooting step that would typically come after verifying basic driver functionality and proper termination, especially for an "old" JBOD where the existing BIOS might already be compatible.

Terminators are typically installed at the physical ends of the SCSI chain, not on each individual hard drive within the array, unless a drive itself is the "last" device on a segment. Incorrect termination will definitely cause problems, but the primary check is for OS-level driver support.