[Info-vax] OT: Steve Wozniak

[Richard B. Gilbert]

David J Dachtera wrote:
> "Richard B. Gilbert" wrote:
>> David J Dachtera wrote:
>>> Neil Rieck wrote:
>>>> I, along with 700 others, just had breakfast with Steve Wozniac at a
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>>> Hhhmmm... Sounds like we're talking about a new storage interconnect as
>>> well, something akin to the Memory Channel, as I think it was called, so
>>> data would transfer at near memory-bus speeds.
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>>> Even with the current generation of storage arrays (the common misnomer
>>> is "SAN"), the interconnect is still the limiting factor. Until FC
>>> speeds get up into the same range as memory bus speeds, this will remain
>>> true.
>>>
>>> Almost makes me wonder if the current serial paradigm of FC might
>>> someday give way to a "parallel" paradigm where you have eight or more
>>> FC cables per FC link rather than just one, or perhaps eight (or more)
>>> parallel bit channels running over a single FC cable.
>>>
>> There are sound technical reasons for preferring a serial interface to a
>> parallel interface.  It's not easy to determine when all the bits in a
>> parallel interface have settled to their final values. 
> 
> Transitions in the "strobe" signal should take care of that.
> 
That's just the point!  When do you assert the "strobe" signal?
The only valid time is after each bit in the parallel port has settled 
to an unambiguous 0 or 1.  On a typical parallel interface, there can be 
a fairly long delay for all the bits to settle and the delay can be a 
little different for each bit.  The delay is not necessarily symmetrical
either; it may take longer to set a one than a zero or vice versa!

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