Channel: Definition and additional resources from ZDNet

(1) A high-speed metal or optical fiber subsystem that provides a path between the computer and the control units of the peripheral devices. Used in mainframes and high-end servers, each channel is an independent unit that transfers data concurrently with other channels and the CPU. For example, in a 32-channel computer, 32 streams of data are transferred simultaneously. In contrast, the PCI bus in a desktop computer is a shared channel between all devices plugged into it.

(2) The physical connecting medium in a network, which could be twisted wire pairs, coaxial cable or optical fiber between clients, servers and other devices.

Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia.
Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc.
All rights reserved.

Additional Resources

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