A CDE Definition
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SATA
(Serial ATA) The standard hardware interface for connecting hard drives, solid state drives (SSDs) and CD/DVD drives to the computer. Introduced in 2001, all computers for consumer use employ the SATA interface. However, for mission critical applications, servers and high-end workstations may use the SCSI serial interface instead (see serial attached SCSI).
eSATA and Powered eSATA
SATA drives are internal and cabled directly to the motherboard, while "eSATA" ports on the back of the computer accept external SATA drives. The "powered" version means the drive power comes from the port rather than the wall outlet.
SATA, PATA and IDE
SATA is the faster serial version of the parallel ATA (PATA) interface. Both SATA and PATA are "integrated drive electronics" (IDE) devices, which means the controller is in the drive, and only a simple circuit is required on the motherboard. Although SATA is an IDE technology, "IDE" refers to PATA (for details, see IDE, AHCI and PATA/SATA specifications). See mSATA and SATA Express.
SATA Data Transfer Rate
Version Gbits/sec MBytes/sec Year
1.0 I 1.5 150 2001
2.0 II, 3G 3.0 300 2004
3.0 III, 6G 6.0 600 2009
3.2 Express 16.0 1969 2013
eSATA Ports
These ports connect external SATA drives. The hybrid port supports both powered eSATA (eSATAp) and USB devices, and drives can be plugged in and out with the computer on (hot swappable). For more details, see eSATA USB Hybrid Port.
SATA and PATA Cables
SATA cables fit better inside the case than the stiff and cumbersome PATA ribbons. This earlier motherboard used SATA hard drives and PATA CD/DVD drives. Four SATA sockets took less room than one PATA.
External SATA Drive Connectors
The 2.5" SATA drive (right) plugs into an external case with a combo 7-pin SATA/15-pin power connector.
Before/After Your Search Term
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Sarl | SATA 6G |
| SAS | SATA Express |
| SAS 70 | SATA II |
| SAS System | SATA III |
| saser | SATA interface |
| SASI | SATAe |
| Sass | SATAN |
| SATA | satcom |
| SATA 2 | satellite |
| SATA 3 | satellite augmentation system |
Terms By Topic
Click any of the following categories for a list of fundamental terms.