I/O Interfaces
Parallel ATA
Parallel ATA (IDE)
• Advanced Technology Attachment
(Integrated Drive Electronics)
• Lower-cost devices than SCSI
• Controller functions performed by host CPU
• IDE standardizes how disk drives are connected to
servers via a ribbon cable and an interface connector on
a PC or server motherboard
• Supports 2 devices, Master/Slave configuration
• Half duplex – only operates in one direction at a time
• Interface transfer rate is 100 or 133 MB/s
• Difficult to create arrays with Parallel ATA
• Supports ATA protocol & command set
Parallel ATA was originally developed with cost as its primary concern so
implemented an architecture that uses the host processor to control the drive
functions.
It operated up to a burst rate of 133MB/s, and would support up to two devices
in a master/slave configuration.
This is probably one of the more familiar drive interfaces as it was typically
used in desktop PCs and utilised the large ribbon cables inside.