USB 2.0 Vs. FireWire

We live in the age of information technology and especially the Internet, which has seen an explosion of digital data, created by usage of various types of electronic gadgets. Easy availability of devices like digital camcorders, digital cameras and the move over to a complete computing platform in business has created a need for data storage devices, which can be used to transfer digital files between terminals. To serve this need of rapid data transfer, technologies like USB and FireWire were developed, which make inter-connectivity of various devices possible. The aim of this article is to make a USB 2.0 vs. FireWire comparison, which will clear out any doubts about the exact differences between these two technologies.

So what is the criteria for comparing USB 2.0 with FireWire? One of the crucial points of comparison is of course the speed of data transfer. Other than that, we will compare underlying design features of USB 2.0 versus FireWire, which includes the architecture on which they are based and the kind of network topology that both of these technologies use.

USB 2.0 Vs. FireWire Comparison

USB (an acronym which stands for 'Universal Serial Bus') and FireWire are serial bus based interfaces, which make communication and data transfer between personal computers and peripherals possible. Both technologies enable hot plugging facility, which lets you connect gadgets like external storage devices through their ports, without the need to restart a computer. Let us understand the basic differences between these technologies, which will account for the difference in features and performance that we discuss later.

Basic Differences in Technology and Features
The latest version of USB technology, that is USB 2.0, is built upon, what is known as a master-slave architecture. When enabling data transfer, USB ports and devices depend on a host controller to monitor the data flow. A USB port cannot be used to directly control data flow without a host or master controller in place. This interface uses a star network topology and with a single host controller, can be connected with as many as 127 devices simultaneously.

The key point to remember is that two USB devices can only communicate with the aid of a computer which plays the role of an intermediary. Though there are many USB connector types, they all come with four data pin connections. The USB interface is truly universal and it is used to connect and transfer data from USB flash drives, camcorders, cameras and cell phones. It is also used to connect printers, computer monitors and other peripherals with the host computer.

In contrast to USB architecture, the construction of a FireWire 800 (its latest version) is based upon a peer to peer system. With a daisy chain network topology, devices connected using FireWire interface do not require an intermediary in the form of a host controller or computer. That means, two FireWire devices can directly exchange data between themselves.

This very fact provides a wide range of applicability to FireWire technology, which goes far beyond pure computing and extends to fiber optic based communication for audio and video applications. FireWire is the default technology used by Mac computers for data transfer and comes with three pin types, which include the 9 pin, 3 pin and 6 pin connectors.

Maximum Data Transfer Speed
Now let us get to the main point in this FireWire vs. USB comparison. While FireWire 800 provides a maximum data transfer speed of 800 Mbps, USB 2.0 promises a maximum data transfer speed of 480 Mbps. The reason why USB 2.0 lags behind FireWire is the difference in architecture. So currently in term of data transfer speeds, FireWire is the clear winner.

While FireWire 800 has the essential advantage of providing greater transfer speeds, USB 2.0 scores when it comes to platform independence. This makes it a much more versatile technology, with wider applicability.