Physical Unit Number

What Does Physical Unit Number Mean?

A Physical Unit Number (PUN) is the device identification number assigned to a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) device attached to a SCSI controller.

Advertisements

It enables distinguishing multiple devices that are simultaneously connected to a SCSCI controller.

A physical unit number is also known as an SCSI device ID and an SCSI address.

Techopedia Explains Physical Unit Number

A PUN is primarily used when more than one device is connected to a SCSI controller.

The PUN assists the SCSI controller in identifying and managing communication. The SCSI controller can only communicate with one SCSI device at a time; therefore it prioritizes devices using their PUNs.

It also restricts multiple SCSI devices from sending and receiving data at the same time. Typically, PUN is set using priority IDs ranging from 0-15, where devices with the highest priorities are assigned numbers from 0-7 and devices with the lowest priorities are assigned 8-15.

In some scenarios, 7 is reserved for the SCSI controller itself.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Hardware Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…