Hot-swappable

Updated: 10/07/2019 by Computer Hope
Hot swapping network drive

Hot-swappable describes a component device that can be removed or installed without powering down the host computer. For example, eSATA, FireWire, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) are examples of interfaces that are hot-swappable on computers.

The picture shows a hot-swappable network drive being changed out while the other drives continue to be used.

Note

Not all computers support hot-swapping, and not all devices are hot swappable. For example, PS/2 devices are not hot swappable.

Hardware terms, Hot docking, Hot plugging, Phone terms, Swap file, Warm swap