I/O Comms

Question 1

m.2

Answer 1

[Socket]

Gen: current (replaced SATA / mSATA)

Speed: +4 GB/s

Laptop Form factor: Direct Mobo interface (data + power)

Connectors: B & M key-pin types

Question 2

NVMe

Answer 2

[Controller]

NonVolatile Memory express

Gen: current (replaced AHCI)

Speed: matches m.2 (4GB/s)

Question 3

AHCI

Answer 3

[Controller]

Advanced Host Controller Interface

Gen: Pre-NVMe, still in use (m.2 and SATA)

Speed: 600 MB/s (circa SATA Rev 3)

Question 4

Headers

Answer 4

[Interface / Power]

Labels: AAFP (external case audio) USB, USB 3.0, TPM (Trusted Platform Module), FAN, Reset Switch, Hard Drive LED, Power LED

Connectors: 2-pin, 3-pin

Question 5

PCIe

Answer 5

[Socket]

PCI express

Serial

Versions: x1, x2, x4, x8, x16, x32 (lanes)

Shared I/O bus w/ m.2 slots

Question 6

PCI

Answer 6

[Socket]

Peripheral Component Interconnect

Parallel (Controller Hub on bus)

Bus sizes: 32-bit, 64-bit

Question 7

SATA connector

Answer 7

15 pins Power, 7 pins Data

Question 8

SO-DIMM

Answer 8

Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module

Laptop form factor

Question 9

DIMM

Answer 9

Dual Inline Memory Module

64-bit data bandwidth

Asymmetrical pin config

Question 10

SATA Rev 1

Answer 10

1.5 Gb/s

Question 11

SATA Rev 2

Answer 11

3 Gb/s

Question 12

SATA Rev 3

Answer 12

6 Gb/s

Question 13

SATA Rev 3.2

Answer 13

16 Gb/s

Question 14

SCSI

Answer 14

Small Computer Systems Interface

16 devices max
Narrow Bus (8) / Wide Bus (16)

Current implementations:
iSCSI
Virtualized SCSI (favored standard)

Drop-in devices to scale
Configuration handled between devices

Question 15

SAS

Answer 15

Serial Attached SCSI

Current

Higher throughput

Point-to-point connections
No jumpers, IDs

Question 16

PATA

Answer 16

Parallel AT Attachment
aka IDE

Speed: 16 - 133 MB/s

2 device per interface

40 wire cable / 80 (reduced crosstalk)
Dev 0 + 1 / Dev 1 + 0 (flipped order)