Abstract: A connector for use with peripheral devices connected to computer systems via a bus includes protection circuitry for protecting the bus signal lines from unwanted signals, thus allowing a peripheral device to be connected to or disconnected from the bus without removing power from either the computer system or the bus. The connector also provides circuitry for detecting a bus free condition (i.e., no data is being transmitted over the bus), and circuitry for releasing the protection circuitry only after said bus free condition is detected. After the protection circuitry is released, the connector maintains normal signal levels such that the peripheral device may communicate with other devices on the bus. The connector also provides an indicator that it is safe or not safe to connect or disconnect a peripheral from the powered bus. The connector also includes circuitry which, when coupled to the bus, provides active termination in accordance with the SCSI bus protocol.

Abstract: A connecter for use with peripheral devices connected to computer systems via a bus includes circuitry for placing a powered bus in a reset condition thus allowing a peripheral device to be connected to or disconnected from the bus without removing power from either the computer system or the bus. The connector also includes circuitry which, when coupled to the bus, provides active termination in accordance with the SCSI bus protocol.