A Beginner’s Shopping Guide for SCSI Cables
SCSI cables are an important component for many computer systems. If you’re a beginner and you’re looking to purchase SCSI cables, there are a few things you should know before you buy. This guide will help you understand what to look for when shopping for SCSI cables.
Types of SCSI Cables
There are several types of SCSI cables available, including narrow SCSI, wide SCSI, Ultra SCSI, and Fibre Channel. Narrow SCSI is the most common type of SCSI cable. It is used in older systems and has a maximum transfer rate of 10 MB/s. Wide SCSI has a maximum transfer rate of 20 MB/s and is used in newer systems. Ultra SCSI is faster than both narrow and wide SCSI, with a maximum transfer rate of 40 MB/s. Fibre Channel is the fastest type of SCSI cable, with a maximum transfer rate of 400 MB/s.
Cable Length
When buying SCSI cables, you will need to determine the length of the cable you need. The length of the cable is determined by the distance between the devices you’re connecting. Generally, cables should not be longer than six feet. If you need to connect two devices that are further apart than that, you should use an active SCSI cable or an extender.
Connector Type
The connectors on the cable should also be considered when purchasing SCSI cables. There are several types of connectors available, including 50-pin, 68-pin, and 80-pin. 50-pin connectors are the oldest type of connector and are used with narrow SCSI cables. 68-pin connectors are used with wide SCSI cables and 80-pin connectors are used with Ultra SCSI cables.
Conclusion
By understanding the different types of SCSI cables, the cable length you need, and the type of connector required, you can easily purchase the right SCSI cable for your system. With this information, you’ll be able to make an informed decision when shopping for SCSI cables.