Computer Cables
 There
is a wide variety of computer cables available - selecting the correct
one depends on the purpose. Each computer cable is built specifically
for an application, which affects both the type of cabling used
and the plug or socket on each end.
Below is a list of the most common types of computer
cables available on the market, with a brief description of their
use and how they are made.
Digital Video Interface (DVI)
The DVI standard has been developed by Intel,
Silicon Image, Compaq, Fujitsu, HP, IBM and NEC to act as a high-speed
digital communication link between video devices. It supports both
digital and analogue communication primarily as a plug and play
replacement for standard VGA and Super VGA connectors.
Parallel Interface
Parallel cables have been used for over 30 years
as an effective method of connecting computers, printers and other
external devices, although it has now been superseded by the Universal
Serial Bus. Using 8 data channels to simultaneously transfer data,
the name "parallel" refers to the fact that all eight
channels are required to encode/decode the data.
Serial Interface
Similar in function and speed to the parallel
interface, serial connections were often used for dial-up modems,
digital cameras and other devices. The name "serial" refers
to using only a single data channel (unlike parallel), transferring
the data piece by piece in a serial fashion.
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
USB (currently in Revision 2) is used by almost
all computer devices these days. Based upon the original Serial
Interface, USB is a high-speed plug and play connection more suited
to digital images, print jobs and small video files.
FireWire
FireWire or IEEE1394 is a new standard developed
by Apple, similar to the Sony i.Link standard, providing much higher
speeds and reliability than USB. It is designed specifically for
the use of high quality video images and is often used with digital
camcorders.
SCSI Interface
The Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) has
been a long-standing method of connecting large capacity, high speed
disk drives and external removable drives to a computer. SCSI interfaces
allow up to 9 devices to be connected in series to a single SCSI
adapter on the host computer, and use a method of "device paging"
to contact a specific device on the chain. This has now been superseded
by FireWire for internal/external devices, and Serial ATA (SATA)
for internal drives.
Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM)
Sometimes it is necessary to place a users console
away from an actual computer or server, often to prevent a constant
flow of people from entering a controlled server room. To control
a computer remotely, a user will require a keyboard, a mouse and
a video feed directly to one or more monitors.
KVM leads allow users to work away from the main
machine, and even switch between multiple machines while still using
the same console. This lead can consist of standard PS/2, USB and
SVGA/DVI leads grouped in the same sheath, or using adaptors can
be carried over standard UTP or STP data leads.
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