FireWire

FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, is a high-speed serial interface used for data transfer between devices, such as computers, digital cameras, and external hard drives. It was developed by Apple Inc. in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1995. FireWire gained popularity for its speed, reliability, and ability to supply power to connected devices, making it an ideal choice for multimedia and professional audio/video applications.

FireWire has several features that made it attractive for data transfer:

1. High-speed data transfer: FireWire offered significantly faster data transfer rates compared to other interfaces available at the time, such as USB 1.1. The original FireWire standard (IEEE 1394a) supported speeds up to 400 Mbps, while later revisions like FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) increased the speed to 800 Mbps.
2. Daisy-chaining: FireWire allows multiple devices to be connected in a daisy-chain configuration, enabling the connection of several devices using a single cable. This feature simplifies cable management and reduces clutter.
3. Power delivery: FireWire can supply power to connected devices, eliminating the need for separate power supplies or adapters for some peripherals.
4. Real-time data transfer: FireWire's isochronous data transfer mode ensures a constant data rate for time-sensitive applications, such as audio and video streaming. This feature made FireWire popular in professional audio/video production environments.
5. Plug-and-play: FireWire supports hot-swapping, which allows devices to be connected or disconnected without powering off the system. This feature simplifies the process of adding or removing devices from the setup.

However, with the development and widespread adoption of USB 2.0 and later USB 3.x, FireWire started to lose its market share. USB offered competitive data transfer rates, broader device compatibility, and lower costs, which led to its dominance in the market. As a result, the use of FireWire has declined over time, and it is now considered a legacy technology.

In summary, FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, is a high-speed serial interface developed by Apple Inc. and standardized by the IEEE. It was popular for its high data transfer rates, daisy-chaining capability, power delivery, and real-time data transfer. However, the adoption of USB 2.0 and later USB 3.x led to a decline in FireWire's popularity, and it is now considered a legacy technology.

See Also

• IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)
• IT Governance
• Enterprise Architecture
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• IT Sourcing (Information Technology Sourcing)
• IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)
• E-Strategy