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SCSI ABCs
Termination
SCSI connectors
SCSI vs. IDE
Technical Support

SCSI ABCs

SCSI, or Small Computer System Interface, pronounced as Scuzzy, was completed in 1982. SCSI is a hardware bus similar in function of the IDE controller supporting hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives and other peripherals. However, unlike IDE, SCSI allows the support of up to eight devices and uses ID numbers 0 through 07, with the SCSI host adapter located on ID number 07 and boots from the ID 00. This leaves the availability of six device connections.

TERMINATION

Because SCSI devices are connected via chaining the devices together, the SCSI must properly be terminated.

SCSI CONNECTORS

The below illustrations are examples of some of the most commonly found and used SCSI connectors.

There is no short answer to which is a better choice; it is generally based on the user's preferences. Below we have listed general characteristics of SCSI and IDE, allowing you to decide which technology is best for you.

IDE

SCSI is a more expensive solution when compared to IDE.
IDE tends to be an easier installed solution for the end-user.
If a user does not have SCSI ports, requires additional card and additional resources to be taken.

SCSI

SCSI has greater expandability when compared to IDE. SCSI supports 7 to 15 devices where IDE allows 2 to 8 devices.
SCSI has more peripheral availability, with SCSI a user could connect HDD, CD-ROM, Scanner, Tape drives, and various other peripherals.
The latest SCSI solution is a faster solution when compared to IDE and EIDE.
Larger capacity drives are generally released for SCSI before IDE.