Daisy chain

In short: Daisy chain means connecting devices one after another: the first is attached to the computer, the second to the first, the third to the second and so on.

In more detail: Instead of leading each device individually to a central point, each device passes the signal on to the next. It is the technique behind the chain topology.

In Depth

• Examples: monitors via DisplayPort/Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt drives, lighting control (DMX), audio devices (MIDI through), sensors and fieldbuses in industry.
• Advantages: economical cabling and a tidy desk.
• Disadvantages: bandwidth is shared, and if one link fails everything behind it is affected. Order and length of the chain are limited.
• Caution: plugging too many power strips into each other is a bad idea and can overload them. There are rules for mains power.

See also: chain topology, network topologies