What is the effect of not terminating SCSI ports?

Not terminating SCSI ports can lead to signal interference and loss due to the nature of SCSI technology, which relies on proper termination to ensure signal integrity. When multiple devices are connected on a SCSI bus, each device sends and receives signals. If the ends of the bus are not terminated, signals can reflect back along the cable, creating interference that can disrupt communication between devices. This reflection causes data corruption, which can lead to errors and failed communications. Effective termination absorbs these signals, preventing them from reflecting back, thus maintaining a cohesive and reliable data transfer process.