Coldplug
Encyclopedia
Computer components are usually described as coldpluggable if the computer system must be powered down to add or remove them. The opposite term is hotpluggable
; hotpluggable components can be added or removed without powering down the computer.
In most computer systems, CPU
s and memory
are coldpluggable, but it is common for high-end servers and mainframes
to feature hotplug capability of these components.
Sometimes, devices that would be hotpluggable may appear to only be coldpluggable because of deficiencies in the system software
. For example, PS/2
pointer devices are generally hotpluggable (although they are not designed to be), but Microsoft Windows 95 and related operating systems would commonly have to be rebooted every time a PS/2 mouse was replaced, in order to detect the new mouse.
Similarly, systems which were intended to be hot pluggable, such as the RS232 serial interface, are in practice only cold pluggable due to limitations of the connector ultimately chosen for the interface—in this case the 25- or 7-pin 'D' style connector.
As mentioned in the article on hot swap, the terms hot plug and cold plug, can be taken to mean two different things, depending on the context. In a more generic context, hot plug is the ability to add or remove hardware without powering down the system, while cold plug is the inability to do so. In the context of comparing certain hot-pluggable devices, however, hot plug can be taken to mean the ability of the system to autonomously detect the addition or removal of hardware as it occurs, while cold plug can be taken to mean the ability to add or remove devices without powering down or rebooting the system, but the inability of the system to detect these changes, in which case the system operator would have to tell the system software that the change has occurred.
Hot swapping
Hot swapping and hot plugging are terms used to describe the functions of replacing computer system components without shutting down the system...
; hotpluggable components can be added or removed without powering down the computer.
In most computer systems, CPU
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
s and memory
Computer memory
In computing, memory refers to the physical devices used to store programs or data on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic device. The term primary memory is used for the information in physical systems which are fast In computing, memory refers to the...
are coldpluggable, but it is common for high-end servers and mainframes
Mainframe computer
Mainframes are powerful computers used primarily by corporate and governmental organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing.The term originally referred to the...
to feature hotplug capability of these components.
Sometimes, devices that would be hotpluggable may appear to only be coldpluggable because of deficiencies in the system software
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
. For example, PS/2
PS/2 connector
The PS/2 connector is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987...
pointer devices are generally hotpluggable (although they are not designed to be), but Microsoft Windows 95 and related operating systems would commonly have to be rebooted every time a PS/2 mouse was replaced, in order to detect the new mouse.
Similarly, systems which were intended to be hot pluggable, such as the RS232 serial interface, are in practice only cold pluggable due to limitations of the connector ultimately chosen for the interface—in this case the 25- or 7-pin 'D' style connector.
As mentioned in the article on hot swap, the terms hot plug and cold plug, can be taken to mean two different things, depending on the context. In a more generic context, hot plug is the ability to add or remove hardware without powering down the system, while cold plug is the inability to do so. In the context of comparing certain hot-pluggable devices, however, hot plug can be taken to mean the ability of the system to autonomously detect the addition or removal of hardware as it occurs, while cold plug can be taken to mean the ability to add or remove devices without powering down or rebooting the system, but the inability of the system to detect these changes, in which case the system operator would have to tell the system software that the change has occurred.