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What are SCSI connectors?

SCSI, or Small Computer Systems Interface, is technology designed to connect smaller devices to a computer. SCSI is bus technology, which means that all devices connect to a central bus and are "daisy-chained" together. The SCSI bus is controlled by a host controller which will typically be built into the motherboard, or it can be from a separate expansion card. Either external or internal, the cabling/connector requirements for an SCSI connector depend upon the location of the bus. SCSI uses three different signaling types, Single-Ended (SE), Differential (HVD or high-voltage differential), and LVD (or low-voltage differential). The most important things to remember when selecting your SCSI cable is the type of connector required by your devices, and if the location of the cable is internal or external.

VHDCI 0.8mm 68-Pin


The Very High-Density Cable Interconnect (VHDCI) 0.8mm 68-pin connector has 68 pins arranged in two rows, one on top of the other. The top row has 34 pins, and the lower row has 34 pins, closely resembling that of a Centronics type interface. This connector is typically used in SCSI-3 applications such as RAID.

The Centronics 50 connector has 50 pins arranged in two rows of 25 pins, one on top of the other. This connector is typically used in SCSI-1 applications such as older scanners, controllers, and external SCSI device cases.

Internal 50-Pin SCSI


The internal 50-pin SCSI connector has 50 pins arranged in two rows of 25 pins, one on top of the other. This connector is typically used in internal SCSI-1/SCSI-2 applications such as hard drives, CD-ROMs, and removable storage drives.

Internal 68-Pin SCSI


The internal 68-pin SCSI connector has 68 pins arranged in two rows of 34 pins, one on top of the other. This connector is typically used in internal SCSI-2/SCSI-3 applications such as hard drives, CD-ROMs, and removable storage drives.

Micro DB68


The Micro DB68 or MD68 connector has 68 pins arranged in two rows of 34 pins, one on top of the other. This connector is typically used in SCSI-3 applications such as scanners, removable storage drives, controllers, external CDR/CDRW, and Ultra/2. This connector is also known as High-Density, or HD 68, and Half-Pitch, or HP68.

Micro DB50


The Micro DB50 or MD50 connector has 50 pins arranged in two rows of 25 pins, one on top of the other. This connector is typically used in SCSI-2 applications such as scanners, removable storage drives, controllers, and external CDR/CDRW. This connector is also known as High-Density, or HD50, and Half-Pitch, or HP50.

Micro Centronics 50


The Micro Centronics 50 connector has 50 pins arranged in two rows of 25 pins, one on top of the other. This connector is typically used in proprietary SCSI-2 interface applications. This connector is rare.

DB50


The DB50 connector has 50 pins arranged in three rows, one on top of the other. The top row has 17 pins, the middle row has 16 pins, and the lower row has 17 pins. This connector is typically used in early SCSI applications, such as older Sun Sparcstations.

Micro Centronics 60


The Micro Centronics 60 connector has 60 pins arranged in two rows of 30 pins, one on top of the other. This is typically used in SCSI applications, such as an IBM® RS-6000.

Micro Centronics 68


The Micro Centronics 68 connector has 68 pins arranged in two rows of 34 pins, one on top of the other. This is typically used in SCSI applications, such as an IBM® RS-6000.

HDI-30


The HDI-30 connector has 30 pins arranged in five rows, one on top of the other. Each row has 6 pins. This connector is typically used in SCSI applications for the Apple® PowerBook.