Host Adapter

What Does Host Adapter Mean?

A host adapter is an item that connects a central hardware resource to an additional network or storage hardware. Different types of host adapters support different data transfer protocols, reflecting the advancement of data transfer setups.

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A host adapter is also known as a host bus adapter (HBA).

Techopedia Explains Host Adapter

A diversity of devices can be called host adapters. Many of them are traditional physical circuit board pieces that are installed in the host device. Some may be more portable or adaptable than others. Even hardware pieces used to connect USB devices can be called host adapters. Most of them will operate in fairly straightforward ways to set up “plug and play” functionality in broader network designs.

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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…