Working with SCSI Disc Drives For Your Computer
The Small Computer System Interface or SCSI system is utilized in many computers to support links to various peripheral devices. This works prominently for hard disk drives, but this may also be used with disc drives. These include drives that can play back not only CD-ROMs but also audio CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.
What are the System Features?
The SCSI system used on a CD-ROM drive utilizes multiple components for its success:
- A physical target. The target used on the SCSI setup is the physical disc player or hard drive that the connection is to work with.
- Cable parts. A cable layout is used on an SCSI hard or disc drive. The cable is responsible for linking up the drive to a computer. The SCSI standards should include a 50 or 68-pin male input for access to an on-board setup. A cable may work well for external CD-ROM drives or hard drive units, but a smaller and thinner cable can work for internal units.
- The initiator. An initiator will produce requests from the SCSI device to get signals to move outward. A host adapter may work as an initiator for handling the content used by the device type.
- Installation point. The SCSI link might be integrated into a motherboard, but sometimes an outside SCSI bus port must be added.
Will it Work With Multiple Devices?
The SCSI interface allows for many peripherals to be attached on one PCI board. Therefore, a CD drive should link to the same PCI board that a hard drive or other item might work with. The number of devices that can be supported at the same time will vary based on the unit being utilized.
How Fast Is the Setup?
The speed of the SCSI link will vary based on the standard being used. A basic SCSI-1 link will operate at a speed of 5 Mbps. The SCSI-3 connection runs at up to 20 Mbps. The Ultra160 SCSI setup works even faster with a maximum transfer speed of 160 Mbps.
Take a look at your computer setup to see what type of connection it can work with. Some older computers will not be compatible with the Ultra system used for connectivity needs. A unit that can handle an older connector may be required at this point.
What Discs Are Supported?
The discs that are utilized by the SCSI drive will vary by each model. Some units operate with CDs and DVDs alike. Many can read and write CD-RW and DVD-RW discs as well. Take a look at the specific disc creation features that come with a drive when finding a model that will accurately link to your computer.