VIPowER VP-8058L installation manual Introduction, USBdock Features

1-1 Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the USBdock docking kit. The USBdock is an external USB interface adapter which is designed to enable hot-swap, plug-and-play operationofEnhancedIDEorATA/ATAPIdevicesthroughtheUSBinterfaceonany USB-equipped computer. The USBdock’s 50-pin Centronics connector is designed for use with external devices using the same connector type (such as CD-ROM) and the Mobile Rack drive case, which provides the perfect solution for data backup and transporting of data between computers using hard disk drives, zip drives, LS-120 drives, MO drives, tape drives, digital film readers and more.

The USBdock connects to any notebook,iMac, Net-PC, Micro ATX PC, LCD panel PC, Mac and PC desktop computer equipped with a USB port. The USBdock allows you to easily hot-swap various types of drives mounted in the Mobile Rack without interrupting the computer’s current operation.

This manual will guide you through the hardware installation of the following USBdock models:

Model VP-8058USBdock Docking Kit with Mobile Rack (VP-10LSF) Model VP-8058LUSBdock Docking Kit (without Mobile Rack)

1-1.1 USBdock Features

•Enables hot-swap Plug-and-Play operation of ATA (IDE) and ATAPI devices with computers using the USB interface

•Complies with USB specification V1.1 and USB Mass Storage Specification V1.0 High Speed USB 12Mbits/sec Bulk mode transfer which yields overall 1.1 MBytes/sec burst transfer rate

•High performance embedded processor to reduce firmware overhead dual (ping-pong) buffer to minimize bus latency

•Intelligent interface uses no host CPU resources to control/monitor time-consuming drive phases other than data transfer

•Embedded MacOS and Windows 2000 drivers support Plug-and-Play without additional driver installation

•Proprietary Windows driver supports most devices

•Universal firmware supports all devices, automatic detection for ATA or ATAPI protocol

•Available in various board form factors for specific applications

•Perfect for adding/sharing external storage devices between computers using the USB interface

•Actual data rate may vary depending on bus utilization and device response time

USBdock Installation Manual 1