Modular hardware: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:42, 21 November 2003

Modular hardware breaks down into reusable parts. When one part fails or must be upgraded, it can be quickly replaced with another of the same or similar type, without disrupting everything else. Usually this is impossible without a clear and widespread hardware standard supported by many manufacturers over a long time and many similar models of the same hardware product.

Relying on modular parts makes product take-back simpler and more desirable to the producer - they can use many or most of the parts in rebuilt hardware.

Modularity and reliance on standards is part of any healthy signal infrastructure, because it reduces the amount of obsolete hardware that will become toxic waste. When such waste is electronic, it is often referred to as e-waste.

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-'''Modular [[hardware requirements|hardware]]''' breaks down into reusable parts.  When one part fails or must be upgraded, it can be quickly replaced with another of the same or similar type, without disrupting everything else.
+'''Modular [[hardware requirements|hardware]]''' breaks down into reusable parts.  When one part fails or must be upgraded, it can be quickly replaced with another of the same or similar type, without disrupting everything else.  Usually this is impossible without a clear and widespread [[hardware standard]] supported by many manufacturers over a long time and many similar models of the same hardware product.
-This makes [[product take-back]] simpler and more desirable to the producer.
+Relying on modular parts makes [[product take-back]] simpler and more desirable to the producer - they can use many or most of the parts in [[rebuilt hardware]].
-Relying on it is part of any [[healthy signal infrastructure]], because it reduces the amount of [[obsolete]] hardware that will become [[toxic waste]].  When such waste is electronic, it is often referred to as [[e-waste]].
+Modularity and reliance on standards is part of any [[healthy signal infrastructure]], because it reduces the amount of [[obsolete]] hardware that will become [[toxic waste]].  When such waste is electronic, it is often referred to as [[e-waste]].