A SCSI host adapter is a device used to connect one or more other SCSI devices to a computer bus. It is commonly called a SCSI controller, which is not strictly correct, as all SCSI devices have a SCSI controller built into them: the difference between a host adapter and another SCSI device such as a hard disk drive or CD-ROM is that the host adapter is responsible for transferring data between the SCSI bus and the computer's input/output bus. SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface, and is a standard interface for transferring data between devices on a computer bus. ... In computer architecture, a bus is a subsystem that transfers data or power between computer components inside a computer or between computers. ... Typical hard drives of the mid-1990s. ... The term drive has several common meanings: A form of computer storage, such as a hard drive. ... The CD-ROM (an abbreviation for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (ROM)) is a non-volatile optical data storage medium using the same physical format as audio compact discs, readable by a computer with a CD-ROM drive. ...

Most modern SCSI host adapters are 32-bit, or 64-bit PCI cards. Older ones were based on the 16-bit ISA bus or the transitional 32-bit VESA and EISA buses. It is not uncommon for a SCSI host adapter to be built into a PC motherboard as an integral part, however this typically makes the board quite expensive and it is more usual to retain the SCSI host adapter as a separate component which can be easily replaced or transferred to another machine. For other meanings of PCI, see PCI (disambiguation). ... EISA means: Extended Industry Standard Architecture European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA Awards). ... The ABIT KT7, an ATX format motherboard A motherboard is a printed circuit board used in a personal computer. ...

SCSI host adapters traditionally fall into two broad classes:

• Simple, relatively low-performance cards that provide an inexpensive way to connect SCSI devices that do not demand a great deal of bandwidth: notably CD-ROM drives and SCSI scanners. The cost varies but is typically in the order of $US40 or so. These were very common up until about 2000, but are now fairly rare: the demise of the ISA slot added a little to the cost; the great improvement in IDE technology (particularly in the case of CD burners) removed one major use, and the advent of USB made the expense of a SCSI interface unnecessary for most scanners.

• High-end cards designed for maximum performance, usually for very high-speed hard drives, and especially for situations that require several high-speed drives (notably servers). These are almost always quite expensive, around $US200 or more. The advent of serial ATA is expected to reduce the usage of high-end SCSI host adapters, but there is no current expectation that they will disappear in the near future.

Many companies have manufactured SCSI host adapters at one time or another, but the market structure has been remarkably stable over the years. At any given time, the host adapter market usually comprises the largest single manufacturer and undisputed market leader, Adaptec, plus a major competitor which offers broadly similar products at a lower price, and several lesser-known names. Adaptec has regularly bought out its major competitors and has maintained its market- leading stance ever since Western Digital sold off its hard drive controller division to concentrate on hard drives in 1991. The CD-ROM (an abbreviation for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (ROM)) is a non-volatile optical data storage medium using the same physical format as audio compact discs, readable by a computer with a CD-ROM drive. ... In computing, a scanner is a device which analyzes a physical image (such as a photograph, printed text, or handwriting) or an object (such as ornament) and converts it to a digital image. ... 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ATA cables: 40 wire ribbon cable top, 80 wire ribbon cable bottom Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), is a standard interface for connecting storage devices such as hard disks and CD-ROM drives inside personal computers. ... A CD burner, CD recorder or CD writer is an internal or external writable Compact Disc drive that can be attached to a computer. ... Type A USB connector USB 2. ... In computing, a server is: A computer software application that carries out some task (i. ... A 15-pin serial ATA power connector. ... Chichicastenango, Guatemala traditional market Market stall in internally displaced persons camp in Kitgum, northern Uganda Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal (Madeira Islands) A market is a mechanism which allows people to trade, normally governed by the theory of supply and demand. ... Adaptec Inc designs and manufactures data communications equipment, notably SCSI host adapters. ... In common usage, leadership generally refers to: the position or office of an authority figure, such as a President [1] a position of office associated with technical skill or experience, as in a team leader or a chief engineer a group of influential people, such as a union leadership [2... Western Digital Corporation (often abbreviated to WD) is a manufacturer of a large proportion of the worlds hard disks, and has a long history in the electronics industry as an IC maker and a storage products company. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Currently, the main competition to Adaptec is Symbios Logic, which supplies SCSI controller chipsets to a number of companies to make host adapters based on them, notably Tekram. In 1998 Adaptec moved to buy out Symbios Logic as well, but abandoned the move after the US Federal Trade Commission indicated that it would oppose the acquisition on competitive grounds. Symbios Logic was a manufacturer of SCSI host adapter chipsets. ... 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Wikiquote has quotations relating to: United States Wikinews has news related to this article: United States United States government Official website of the United States government - Gateway to governmental sites White House - Official site of the US President Senate. ... Categories: United States federal agencies | Stub ...