Master/slave

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other terms for Master as well as Slave
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This page is about the technical protocol; for information on the general terms see Master and Slave

Master/slave is a model for a communication protocol where one device or process has unidirectional control over another (or others). Once a master/slave relationship between devices or processes is established, the direction of control is always from the master to the slave(s). This term is commonly used to refer to a way to denote hard drive arrangements, and for diesel locomotives.

On November 2003, the County of Los Angeles stated in an e-mail that the term master/slave may be offensive to some people who live in the county and asked equipment manufacturers not to use the term. Here is the e-mail that was sent verbatim:

Subject: IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT SOLD TO LA COUNTY

Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 14:21:16 -0800

From: "Los Angeles County"

The County of Los Angeles actively promotes and is committed to ensure a work environment that is free from any discriminatory influence be it actual or perceived. As such, it is the County's expectation that our manufacturers, suppliers and contractors make a concentrated effort to ensure that any equipment, supplies or services that are provided to County departments do not possess or portray an image that may be construed as offensive or defamatory in nature.

One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources. Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label.

We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify and remove/change any identification or labeling of equipment or components thereof that could be interpreted as discriminatory or offensive in nature before such equipment is sold or otherwise provided to any County department.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Joe Sandoval, Division Manager

Purchasing and Contract Services

Internal Services Department

County of Los Angeles

Note: You are receiving this email because you have registered with the County of Los Angeles. If you do not wish to receive future L.A. County Event news, simply click the link below, and update your registration information to remove email notification.

Many in the Information Technology field rebuff this claim of discrimination and offence as ridiculous, noting that the master/slave terminology accurately reflects what is going on inside the device and that this was not intended in any way to be a reference to slavery as it existed in the United States.

Recently, there were rumors of a major push to change the way hardware manufacturers refer to these devices. It has not had much effect on most of the products being produced. It may not matter in a few years, with SATA replacing older IDE (PATA) drives. This standard allows only one drive per connection, and does not require the use of master/slave terms.

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