View Source: Dongle - Waikato Linux Users Group

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A small piece of custom [Hardware] attachable to a computer to perform a narrowly defined task. [Dongle]s do not contain general-purpose [CPU], memory or [I/O] facilities.

In the 1980s and 1990s the term described [RS232] or [LPT] attached appliances acting as CopyProtection for high-end applications. [Dongle]s in this capacity acquired the image of being unwanted liabilities, not only because of their purpose, but also because of a whole slew of technical problems. They either took up a precious port or caused problems with other devices connected thru them. It was usually impossible to daisychain [Dongle]s, should several applications require them. As if all that was not enough, their connectors would often start failing within short time if un/plugged too often. As a result, these days CopyProtection [Dongle]s are a rare sight.

The term however is being recycled as for [USB] attached, highly specialized devices, often containing RandomNumberGenerator~s, secure key stores in cryptographic systems, or suchlike.

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CategoryHardware

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Last edited on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 4:50:46 am by AristotlePagaltzis

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