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The term controller, when used in computing and especially in computer hardware, signifies a chip or extension card that interfaces with a peripheral device. This may be a link between two parts of a computer (for example a memory controller that manages access to memory for the computer) or a controller on an external device that manages the operation of (and connection with) that device. A controller is usually also an adapter.

[edit] See also

Types of controller in computing and electronics

• Microcontroller, a computing device
• Game controller, a device used for video games
• MIDI controller, a device or software module used to transmit performance data to an electronic musical instrument, computer, or recording system
• Controllers specifically found in computers may include:

• Graphics controller or video display controller
• Memory controller, logic which manages the flow of data in a computer system
• Disk array controller, also known as RAID controller, a type of storage controller
• Disk controller, a controller now usually integrated into hard disk drive
• SCSI controller, more properly called SCSI host bus adapter
• Network controller (in Ethernet)
• Keyboard controller
• Interrupt controller
• Terminal Access Controller, a host computer that accepts terminal connections such as remote log-ons.

Chips that may act as controllers

• Northbridge (computing) - the name of a common type of memory controller in computing
• Southbridge (computing) - the name of a common type of I/O controller in computing

Other articles

• Adapter (computing)
• Programmable logic controller
• Controller (control theory)
• Computer bus

[edit] External links

• Controller description at Webopedia, a computer term dictionary.

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