What Is This Tool?
This converter allows you to translate data transfer values from IDE (UDMA mode 4), a legacy parallel ATA transfer method, into Virtual Tributary 6 (signal), a logical channel used in SONET/SDH networks for carrying lower-rate client signals.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in IDE (UDMA mode 4) units that you want to convert
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Select IDE (UDMA mode 4) as the source unit and Virtual Tributary 6 (signal) as the target unit
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Click convert to see the equivalent data transfer rate in Virtual Tributary 6 signals
Key Features
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Supports conversion between IDE (UDMA mode 4) and Virtual Tributary 6 (signal) units
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Based on a standard conversion rate linking parallel ATA throughput to SONET channel capacities
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Useful for legacy hardware data rate translation and optical network planning
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Simple, browser-based interface with instant calculation
Examples
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1 IDE (UDMA mode 4) equals approximately 83.65 Virtual Tributary 6 (signal)
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2 IDE (UDMA mode 4) equals approximately 167.30 Virtual Tributary 6 (signal)
Common Use Cases
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Connecting and benchmarking legacy PATA/IDE drives on older computer systems
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Mapping and transporting lower-rate PDH/TDM circuits over SONET backbones using VT6 channels
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Traffic grooming and bandwidth allocation in SONET add/drop multiplexers and cross-connects
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Data recovery and integration when migrating from legacy storage to optical network transport
Tips & Best Practices
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Verify that your hardware supports IDE (UDMA mode 4) to achieve reliable throughput
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Use this conversion to assist with network bandwidth planning involving SONET/SDH systems
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Remember that Virtual Tributary 6 represents logical channels subject to bandwidth sharing
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Consider protocol overhead and real-world conditions which may affect actual data rates
Limitations
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Conversion reflects theoretical maximum throughput and may differ from actual performance
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IDE (UDMA mode 4) throughput is fixed while VT6 bandwidth may be shared or multiplexed
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Hardware constraints, signaling, and protocol overheads can impact real data transfer rates
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is IDE (UDMA mode 4)?
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IDE (UDMA mode 4), also known as Ultra DMA/66, is a Parallel ATA transfer mode used in legacy storage devices to move data at a maximum theoretical speed of about 66.7 megabytes per second.
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What does Virtual Tributary 6 (VT6) represent?
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Virtual Tributary 6 is a logical sub-channel in the SONET family used to carry lower-rate client signals within an STS-1 payload for flexible bandwidth allocation and multiplexing.
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Why convert from IDE (UDMA mode 4) to VT6?
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Converting helps translate legacy storage data transfer rates into SONET channel capacities, useful for network planning, signal multiplexing, and integrating different communication systems.
Key Terminology
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IDE (UDMA mode 4)
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A Parallel ATA data transfer mode using Ultra DMA protocol to achieve up to roughly 66.7 MB/s throughput on legacy storage devices.
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Virtual Tributary 6 (VT6)
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A standardized logical channel within SONET networks used for byte-interleaving and carrying lower-rate client signals inside STS-1 payloads.
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SONET/SDH
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Synchronous Optical Network / Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, protocols for optical network transport and multiplexing of signals.