Device controller: Difference between revisions
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A '''device controller''' is a [[peripheral]] which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to a [[bus]], although possibly the [[central processing unit|CPU]] directly) and some external device (often [[secondary storage]]). | A '''device controller''' is a [[peripheral]] which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to a [[bus]], although possibly the [[central processing unit|CPU]] directly) and some external [[peripheral]] device (often [[secondary storage]]). | ||
The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a [[disk]] drive, although controllers are also found with [[magnetic tape]] drives, [[paper tape]] readers and/or punches, and numerous other kinds of devices. | The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a [[disk]] drive, although controllers are also found with [[magnetic tape]] drives, [[paper tape]] readers and/or punches, and numerous other kinds of devices. | ||
Revision as of 13:43, 20 August 2018
A device controller is a peripheral which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to a bus, although possibly the CPU directly) and some external peripheral device (often secondary storage).
The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a disk drive, although controllers are also found with magnetic tape drives, paper tape readers and/or punches, and numerous other kinds of devices.
Usually a single controller is able to handle multiple identical devices, thereby amortizing the controller's cost, since the external devices often include mechanical components, and are the thus slower than the all-electronic controller.
