
7USBConfiguration Guide
In this chapter:
•
“USB in HP Storage Works devices”onpage35
•
“USB terminology”onpage35
•
“Setting up a USB network” on page 36
•
“USB cables” on page 36
USB in HP Stor
ageWorks devices
The RDX Remov
able Disk Backup system is a USB 2.0 logo certified device. It supports the high-speed
USB transfe
r rate with a theoretical maximum transfer of over 50 MB/s. (The a ctual backup rate will be
less. This is defined by the transfer rate of the drive and the compressibility of the data.)
To benefit from the high-speed performance of the USB 2.0 interface, the RDX Removable Disk Baakup
System shou
ld be connected to its host system via a USB 2.0 port. Any USB hubs between the device and
thesystemportshouldalsobeUSB2.0compliant.
To maximize device performance, minimize the use of other USB devices when using the RDX Removable
Disk Backu
pSystem.
USB terminology
The Universal Serial Bus, USB, is a communication interface where an intelligent host controls all the
network activity. A command from the host to a particular device is broadcast to all devices on the
network. A device waits for a command addressed to itself and then responds as requested. The host
determines how much of the overall USB network bandwidth a given device can use at any time. Any
given USB network has only one host.
Hubs act as command repeaters and multipliers. This allows many devices to be supported by one host.
A host command can arrive at the upstream port of the hub and be transmitted via the downstre a m ports
to many other device and hubs. (Likewise, device commands arriving at a downstream port are also
repeated upstream.) There is a special hub called a root hub. The root hub’s upstream por t is connected
directly to the host. All USB systems have a root hub. This is why a system typically h as more than one
USB port. All the USB ports o n the system are connected to the host system via the root hub.
USB devices are not treated equally by the host.
• Periodic devices, which consist of interrupt and isochronous devices, are given a higher priority
than bulk transfer devices.
• Interrupt devices, such as keyboards and mice, typically send brief but important input information
to the system.
• Isochronous devices, such as web ca meras, typically require timely transmission of data, such as
avideostream.
• Bulk transfer, such as printers and CD-ROM, must receive or transmit 100% accurate data. But
how fast or often the data is transmitted is not as impor tant as the accuracy of the data.
The host will give network bandwidth priority to periodic devices and will share any remaining bandwidth
equally amon g any active bulk transfer devices.
USB s upports many types of devices and three data transfer rates, low speed, full speed, and high speed.
(A keyboard does not need to transfer data to the system at the same speed as a cable modem.)
RDX Removable Disk Backup System
35
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