Intel Hub Architecture (IHA)

Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) in shorter terms is a chipset architecture chipset consisting of a Memory Controller Hub or MCH and Input Output Controller Hub (ICH) which are connected together via bus.

History :
Intel Hub Architecture was developed as a part of Intel Architecture in the year 1999.
It was high in usage and demand as well until it was being replaced by PCH or Platform Controller Hub in the year 2008. It is no longer in use.

Features :

1. The Intel Hub Architecture contains of chips that are similar to the North and South Bridge.
2. The chips work faster than North and South bridge.
3. The data transfer is faster.
4. The data transfer is done according to the datatype that is being assigned to it.
5. The second version of IHA called the IHA 2.0 was introduced by Intel.
6. Separate data paths were assigned for faster data transfer.
7. IO transfers were made faster and were made access to high speed networks.

Advantages :

• IHA is a combination of North and South bridge thereby working faster.
• It is cost effective.
• The data transfer was much easier.
• The data was transferred according to the user requests only making it another advantage.

Disadvantages :

• As the hardware technology advanced, so did the parts of the motherboard thus replacing Intel Hub Architecture with North and South bridge.