Difference between revisions of "Device controller"
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| − | A '''device controller''' is a [[ | + | A '''device controller''' is a block of [[hardware]] which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to its [[bus]], although possibly to 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]] | + | The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a [[disk]] drive, although controllers are also found with [[magnetic tape drive]]s, [[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 | + | 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 thus slower than the all-[[electronic]] controller. |
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Revision as of 22:08, 20 August 2018
A device controller is a block of hardware which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to its bus, although possibly to 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 thus slower than the all-electronic controller.
