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18
Chapter 2 Preparation
Branching is also possible
• When devices have three or more i.LINK connectors, it is possible to create
branches midway through the i.LINK daisy chain.
• Up to 63 i.LINK devices (including these drives) can be interconnected.
However, only 17 devices can be present on the longest individual path. (Up
to 16 i.LINK cables can be used in the chain making up a path of the
maximum possible length.)
The length of a path is indicated in terms of the number of i.LINK cables used,
with each cable counted as one "hop." For example, in the figure below, the path
between A and C is 6 hops, while that between A and D is 3 hops.
Any of the paths (A p B, A p C, A p D, B p C, B p D, and C p D) can be
composed of a maximum of 17 devices. (A maximum of 16 hops.)
Care must be taken to ensure that no path loops back up on itself
The digital signal passes through all the connected i.LINK cables. Circular
connections must be avoided to prevent signals from returning to the device
from which they originated. Such circular connections are referred to as
"loops."
Examples of correct connections
Examples of loops
Connection Precautions
• Some i.LINK devices, such as computers, must be turned on to relay data to
other i.LINK devices. When connecting an i.LINK device, refer to the
instructions accompanying the device.
• The maximum data transfer rate supported by any given i.LINK device is
indicated near the i.LINK connector. The maximum i.LINK data transfer
rates are defined as being approximately 100, 200, and 400 Mbps,
respectively noted as S100, S200, and S400. When devices having different
maximum data transfer rates are connected together, rates achieved by
individual devices may be less than their rated maximums.
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