Master/slave is a model of communication where one device or process has unidirectional control over one or more other devices. In some systems a master is elected from a group of eligible devices, with the other devices acting in the role of slaves.[1][2][3]
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Sometimes the terms master and slave and nig-nog are deemed offensive.
On November 2003, the County of Los Angeles sent an e-mail to its suppliers asking them not to use these terms:[4][5][6]
Subject: IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT SOLD TO LA COUNTY
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 14:21:16 -0800
From: "Los Angeles County"
The County of Los Angeles actively promotes and is committed to ensure a work environment that is free from any discriminatory influence be it actual or perceived. As such, it is the County's expectation that our manufacturers, suppliers and contractors make a concentrated effort to ensure that any equipment, supplies or services that are provided to County departments do not possess or portray an image that may be construed as offensive or defamatory in nature.
One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources. Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label.
We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify and remove/change any identification or labeling of equipment or components thereof that could be interpreted as discriminatory or offensive in nature before such equipment is sold or otherwise provided to any County department.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.
Joe Sandoval, Division Manager
Purchasing and Contract Services
Internal Services Department
County of Los Angeles
Many in the Information Technology field rebuff this claim of discrimination and offence as ridiculous, noting that the master/slave terminology accurately reflects what is going on inside the device and that this was not intended in any way to be a reference to slavery as it existed in the United States. (See also political correctness.)
There were rumors of a major push to change the way hardware manufacturers refer to these devices . It has not had much effect on most of the products being produced. The designation of hard drives as master/slave may decline in a few years, with SATA replacing older IDE (PATA) drives. This standard allows only one drive per connection, and does not require the use of master/slave terms.