Laajennusväylä

Laajennusväylä is a Finnish term that translates to "expansion bus" or "extension bus" in English. It refers to a type of computer bus architecture designed to allow for the addition of peripheral devices to a computer system. These devices can include graphics cards, sound cards, network adapters, and other specialized hardware. The expansion bus provides a standardized interface and communication pathway between the central processing unit (CPU) and these add-on components, enabling them to function as part of the overall system.

Historically, several types of expansion buses have been developed. Early examples include the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) and EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) buses, which were prevalent in personal computers. Later, more advanced and faster bus technologies emerged, such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) and AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port), offering improved performance for demanding applications like gaming and multimedia.

In modern computing, the concept of an expansion bus continues, though the specific technologies have evolved. For instance, PCIe (PCI Express) has largely replaced older bus standards and is now the dominant expansion bus interface in most desktop computers and servers. PCIe offers significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency compared to its predecessors, facilitating the rapid data transfer required by high-performance components. The primary purpose of an expansion bus remains consistent: to provide a flexible and upgradeable platform for enhancing a computer's capabilities.