Definition: Product ID, a hexadecimal identifier assigned by a USB vendor to identify a specific product or product family.
Explanation
The PID, or Product ID, is a hexadecimal number assigned by a USB device vendor to uniquely identify a product or product family. It is reported by the USB device during the enumeration process when connected to a Windows computer. The PID works alongside the Vendor ID (VID) to help the operating system recognize and load the appropriate drivers for the device. Unlike textual identifiers, the PID is a numeric code used at the USB hardware level and is essential for device identification and management.
Example
For example, a USB hardware identifier might appear as USBVID_090C&PID_1000, where 1000 is the PID representing a specific product assigned by the vendor with VID 090C.
Who This Is For
This information is useful for developers, IT administrators, hardware engineers, and software developers who need to identify, manage, or troubleshoot USB devices at a hardware level. It is also valuable for inventory systems and diagnostic tools that require precise device identification.
Related Terms
VID, USB Vendor ID, SCSI Vendor, SCSI Product, USB enumeration
Also Known As
Product Identifier