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 normally necessary to set any jumpers 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 http://www.serialata.org.

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Pipeline HD Mini Series SATA Product Manual, Rev. A

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Seagate ST91603110CS, ST9250311CS manual About the Serial ATA interface
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ST91603110CS, ST9250311CS specifications

The Seagate ST9250311CS and ST9160311CS are notable hard drives in the field of data storage, specifically designed for reliability and performance in a range of applications, including consumer electronics and personal computing.

The ST9250311CS is a 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, while the ST9160311CS offers a larger capacity of 160GB, both providing a balance of speed and efficiency for users seeking dependable storage solutions. These drives are built to meet the demands of today’s digital content, offering ample storage for photos, videos, music, and applications.

One of the standout features of these drives is their 2.5-inch form factor, making them suitable for laptops, external enclosures, and other compact devices. The drives utilize SATA interfaces, providing faster data transfer rates compared to older IDE technologies. The SATA interface also enhances overall system performance by allowing for quicker boot-up times and faster access to stored data.

Another distinguishing characteristic of these Seagate models is their 5400 RPM rotational speed. While not the fastest in the market, this speed is well-balanced, ensuring a quieter operation and lower power consumption, which is particularly important for battery-operated devices like laptops. This energy efficiency extends the overall battery life, making it an ideal choice for mobile users who require long-lasting performance on the go.

The ST9250311CS and ST9160311CS also feature advanced data protection technologies, ensuring the integrity and safety of stored data. Their Shock Protection System helps to guard against data loss due to impacts and vibrations, while the integrated thermal management technology keeps the drives cool during operation. Additionally, data redundancy capabilities assist in minimizing the risk of data corruption.

In terms of compatibility, these drives support various operating systems, including Windows and Linux, making them a versatile option for a wide range of users. Their reliability is backed by Seagate’s reputation in the industry and comprehensive warranty options.

The Seagate ST9250311CS and ST9160311CS hard drives provide a solid blend of performance, reliability, and efficiency, catering to users in both personal and professional environments, capable of handling data-intensive tasks while ensuring long-term durability and sustained performance.
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