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Dell Storage Technology Foundations Online Training Course
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IndexThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
Course OverviewThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
Storage MediaThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
Storage InterfacesThis image is a down arrow for navigation
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IDE/ATA
IDE/ATA Evolution
IDE Configuration
IDE Cabling

SCSI
SCSI Operation
SCSI Signaling
Termination & Width
SCSI IDs

Fibre Channel
FC Operation
FC Topologies
FC Components

Review
Section Review
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Data AvailabilityThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
Data RecoveryThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
Storage ArchitectureThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
Storage ManagementThis is an arrow graphic for navigation
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Storage Interfaces

Introduction

An interface is a communications channel through which data flows. It allows computer systems to communicate with devices such as hard disks and CD-ROM drives. Dell's PowerEdge server and PowerVault storage products utilize three types of interfaces: IDE/ATA, SCSI, and Fibre Channel.

This image produces a rounded corner  IDE/ATA This image produces a rounded corner

     The IDE/ATA interface is most commonly found in desktop computer systems, but is also becoming popular in Dell's entry-level/workgroup servers. The IDE/ATA interface and devices are very easy to configure, but IDE/ATA is quite limited in the number of devices it can support.  


This image produces a rounded corner  SCSI This image produces a rounded corner

     The SCSI interface is most commonly found in servers. The SCSI interface and devices are capable of high-speed data transfers, and SCSI can support up to 15 devices on a single bus. SCSI also supports external devices.  


This image produces a rounded corner  Fibre Channel This image produces a rounded corner

     Fibre Channel is a high-performance serial link supporting several protocols, including FDDI, SCSI, HIPPI and IPI. The Fibre Channel standard addresses the need for very fast transfers of large amounts of information.  

Section Objectives

After completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Describe the IDE/ATA interface, the configuration of IDE/ATA devices, and list the limitations of IDE/ATA.

  • Describe how the SCSI interface operates, the different ways data is transferred, and the rules SCSI must follow.

  • Describe the Fibre Channel interface, the three topologies of Fibre Channel, and Fibre Channel media.


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