Which statement is true regarding IDE master and slave settings?

When configuring IDE devices, it is crucial to understand the role of master and slave settings when two devices are connected to the same channel. Each IDE channel can support two devices, and to properly manage data transfer between them, one device is designated as the master and the other as the slave.

This configuration allows the system to prioritize access to the bus and avoids conflicts that could arise if both devices attempt to communicate simultaneously. The master device typically takes control of the channel while the slave device responds to requests from the master. Setting one device as master and the other as slave ensures smooth and efficient operation, allowing the two devices to coexist on the same IDE channel without issues.

In contrast, if both devices were set to master or if the master/slave configuration was not utilized at all, it could lead to data transfer conflicts and malfunctions. Therefore, the requirement that one device must be set to master and the other to slave is fundamental to the proper functioning of IDE device setups.