[plug] comparing external hard disk - usb2 vs firewire with linux

[tsuki_yomi at moon.curtin.edu.au]

The one downside of USB2 is that if you have a USB2 and a USB1.1 device on 
the one chain everything will be limited to the speed of USB1.1.  This 
isn't the case for Firewire.

Also to note is the bandwidth.  USB2 does 480Mbs while Firewire does 
400Mbs.  Supposedly however Firewire2 will be up to 800Mbs across similar 
cabling as Firewire1.

Personally I'd recommend Firewire, but then again I'm an Apple tech ;)

On 10 Oct 2002, Daniel wrote:
> Hello Plug,
> it seems that firewire has been supported for some time and that usb2
> will be supported in the newer kernels.  
> 
> I wonder if there are any great differences between the way they operate
> and their capabilities.(eg hot swappable / actual throughput /
> reliability etc.)  While usb2 should (we hope) be backward compatable
> with usb1.1 ports found on many computers, firewire would require an add
> on card, but I was told it was designed specifically with hard disk
> operation in mind and you could even daisy chain them without affecting
> the throughput ...[once booted])
> 
> Your thoughts would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Daniel.

-- 
James Budworth
tsuki_yomi at moon.curtin.edu.au