Network, Computer and Programming Resources

Network - IRQ (Interrupt Request Line)

An IRQ is a mechanism for signaling an interrupt in PC hardware. Each device attached to a computer is assigned an IRQ. When it wants a service from the CPU (central processing unit), the device signals on this line and waits. IRQs have different priority levels. The higher priority lines are assigned to the most important functions on the PC. By doing this, an operating system or interrupt handler can be sure that no vital activities are interrupted. When configuring devices on your machine, it is very important that you do not have two devices that use the same IRQ-at least if there is any chance that the two devices will be used at the same time.