Connecting With Other Devices 3-2
SCSI - An Overview
SCSI is a standard for connecting computer systems to other
peripheral devices, such as hard disks, scanners, and CD-ROM drives
and to other computer systems.
Some of the main advantages of SCSI are as follows:
❑
SCSI supports up to seven devices per adapter card.
This translates to savings in terms of slots, Interrupt Request
(IRQ) lines, and Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels for
your computer system.
❑
SCSI devices will work in other systems and platforms such as
Macintosh and UNIX. Thus, there is the assurance of
cross-platform compatibility.
❑
SCSI device drivers are written for the adapter card not for the
specific device. Thus, you can connect any device to your
system without considering brand or software compatibility.
SCSI Bus
When connecting SCSI devices you will have to take note of the
following:
❑
SCSI devices are connected sequentially. A SCSI bus
must
run
continously from one device to another (see Figure 3-1).
The maximum length of the SCSI bus is limited to 6 meters
according to the SCSI standard. When the length is over the
standard, errors may occur during operation.
Figure 3-1: A SCSI bus.
