Difference Between SAS vs SATA
If you wish to understand how data is transferred between computer components, then you need to study the motherboard and storage devices. In the course of doing that, you would come across technological methods used by computers to transfer data from one location to another, two of which we will be discussing today – SATA vs SAS.
Sometime in 1976, the latter was invented by an American multinational company. It functioned as a software system for report writing and data analysis.
Centuries later, in 2010, the Serial ATA working group created the former, which works as an interface for transferring data between the central circuit board and storage devices. Technologically speaking, these two do approximately the same thing, but they have some differences which we discussed below.
Definition of SAS
SAS is defined as a computer bus technology that has been developed for the transfer of data to and from storage devices. It is an acronym for Statistical Analysis System and can also be referred to as a software system for data analysis and report writing.
The term “software system” in the second definition connotes not just one, but a group of computer programs. These programs depend on each other for the storage and retrieval, modification, computation, analysis, and report creation of information.
From various perspectives, comparing SAS vs SATA connector shows that the former is the pioneer in data analytics because it has some interesting beneficial features, and they are as follows.
- A strong ability to analyze data
- Flexible enough to support different data formats
- Data encryption algorithms
- SAS studio
- Effective management ability
- Flexible fourth generation programming language
- Report output format
Given the features listed above, experts rate this computer bus technology as a complete package for any type of statistical work that can provide service support in almost every platform.
Definition of SATA
SATA can be defined as an interface for transferring data to and from the central circuit board of a computer and compatible storage devices. The acronym stands for Serial Advanced Technology Advancement, and can also be referred to as serial ATA.
Before this interface came into existence, the parallel ATA has been long-standing, but had some lapses. The serial ATA was designed to replace it and implement some improvements. The following are some of its features.
- Simplified cabling and connectors
- Reduced voltage
- Improved data robustness
- Differential signaling
- Operating system compatibility
One difference between SATA and SAS is that the former prioritizes on storage capacity, while the latter prioritizes on speed. What this means is that the throughput of the latter is usually higher than that of the former with fewer delays. Note that throughput is the amount of data that can be processed in a certain amount of time.
Main Differences Between SAS vs SATA
While the definitions are quite important for anyone to understand how these two works, it is also ideal to have a fair idea of how they compare based on a number of factors. Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between them.
| Basis of Comparison | SAS | SATA |
| Definition | A computer bus technology that has been developed for the transfer of data to and from storage devices | An interface for transferring data to and from the central circuit board of a computer and compatible storage devices |
| Meaning of acronym | Statistical Analysis System | Serial Advanced Technology Advancement |
| Speed | Quick rate of data transfer | Slower rate of data transfer |
| Cable length | Longer cables | Shorter cables |
| Storage capacity | Smaller | Large |
| Downsides | Expensive, less storage capacity | Lower speed and not very suitable for servers |
| Uses | Enterprise and servers | Personal computing storage |
Difference Between SAS and SATA: Conclusion
In summary, the key difference between SAS and SATA is that the latter transfers data at half-duplex while the former transfers data at full- duplex, a conclusion made based on expert opinion.
Also, the former has each of its ports reading and writing data at the same time, unlike the latter. To take care of a personal need, the latter is known to do a great job, but the former is best for large scale tasks that require the use of servers.
