1.1About the Serial ATA interface

The Serial ATA interface provides several advantages over the traditional Parallel ATA interface. The primary advantages include:

•Easy installation and configuration with true plug-and-play connectivity. It is not necessary to set any jump- ers or other configuration options.

•Thinner and more flexible cabling for improved enclosure airflow and ease of installation.

•Scalability to higher performance levels.

In addition, Serial ATA makes the transition from Parallel ATA easy by providing legacy software support. Serial ATA was designed to allow you to install a Serial ATA host adapter and Serial ATA disc drive in your current system and expect all of your existing applications to work as normal.

The Serial ATA interface connects each disc drive in a point-to-point configuration with the Serial ATA host adapter. There is no master/slave relationship with Serial ATA devices like there is with Parallel ATA. If two drives are attached on one Serial ATA host adapter, the host operating system views the two devices as if they were both “masters” on two separate ports. This essentially means both drives behave as if they are Device 0 (master) devices.

Note. The host adapter may, optionally, emulate a master/slave environment to host software where two devices on separate Serial ATA ports are represented to host software as a Device 0 (master) and Device 1 (slave) accessed at the same set of host bus addresses. A host adapter that emulates a master/slave environment manages two sets of shadow registers. This is not a typical Serial ATA environment.

The Serial ATA host adapter and drive share the function of emulating Parallel ATA device behavior to provide backward compatibility with existing host systems and software. The Command and Control Block registers, PIO and DMA data transfers, resets, and interrupts are all emulated.

The Serial ATA host adapter contains a set of registers that shadow the contents of the traditional device regis- ters, referred to as the Shadow Register Block. All Serial ATA devices behave like Device 0 devices. For addi- tional information about how Serial ATA emulates parallel ATA, refer to the “Serial ATA: High Speed Serialized AT Attachment” specification. The specification can be downloaded from www.serialata.org.

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DB35.3 Series SATA/PATA Product Manual, Rev. F

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Seagate ST3160215SCE, ST3160215ACE, ST380215ACE, ST380215SCE manual About the Serial ATA interface
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ST3160215SCE, ST380215ACE, ST380215SCE, ST3160215ACE specifications

Seagate has long been a prominent name in the world of hard drives, known for their innovative technology and reliable performance. Among their extensive product lineup, the Seagate ST3160215ACE, ST380215SCE, ST380215ACE, and ST3160215SCE hard drives stand out for their robust features and capabilities, catering to both personal and enterprise-level needs.

The Seagate ST3160215ACE offers a capacity of 160 GB, while the ST380215SCE and ST380215ACE provide 80 GB of storage. These drives are renowned for their performance, equipped with a SATA interface that ensures fast data transfer rates and efficient connectivity. With spindle speeds of 7200 RPM, these models benefit from lower latency and higher data throughput, making them suitable for a variety of applications, including gaming, media storage, and data backup.

One of the defining characteristics of the Seagate ST3160215ACE and its counterparts is their reliable data integrity features. These drives incorporate Seagate's advanced error correction technologies, including S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), which enables users to predict drive failures before they occur. This technology significantly reduces the risk of data loss, ensuring that important files remain secure.

In terms of physical design, the drives feature a compact 3.5-inch form factor, making them ideal for both desktop computers and external enclosures. The drives are built with Seagate's durable engineering, offering resilience against shock and vibration, which is essential for maintaining performance in various environmental conditions.

These models also employ a low power consumption strategy, which not only reduces energy costs but also extends the lifespan of the drive. By utilizing advanced power management technologies, the drives efficiently handle thermal conditions, ensuring stable operation even during prolonged usage.

Additionally, their compatibility with various operating systems and RAID configurations enhances their versatility in new and existing systems. Whether for a home PC or within an enterprise server setup, these Seagate models deliver performance and reliability, solidifying their place in the storage market. In summary, the Seagate ST3160215ACE, ST380215SCE, ST380215ACE, and ST3160215SCE drives offer a combination of capacity, speed, reliability, and energy efficiency, making them a compelling choice for users seeking dependable storage solutions.
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