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eSATAp

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File:Port-compare-esatap.jpg
An eSATAp port (left) and an eSATA port (right)
File:Esatap.jpg
eSATAp port (eSATA/USB combo)

eSATAp is a high speed connection for external storage devices. These devices include but are not limited to portable hard disks (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD) and network-attached storage (NAS).

SATA-IO

File:Esatap-on-notebook.jpg
An eSATAp port on a notebook

SERIAL ATA INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION (SATA-IO) September 2008 [1] This document published by the SATA-IO acknowledge eSATAp (Power over eSATA) as the actual name for the new eSATA/USB combo port. This is to differentiate and to prevent confusion with the original eSATA port.

History

SATA is a computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. eSATA is the externalised version of SATA and is designed for external storage devices. eSATAp combines an eSATA port and a USB port into a single port. eSATAp is now compatible with USB & is able to supply power.

[2] [3]

Compatibility

An eSATAp port is compatible with eSATA and USB devices. eSATAp (eSATA/USB) is found on notebooks and desktop machines. Since eSATAp is simply a combination of two existing interfaces no special software support is required. A list of notebooks/motherboards companies offering these ports on their machines include Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Lenovo, HP, MSI, Acer, Asus, etc.[4]

Applications

Depending on the motherboard, eSATAp ports have a speed of 1.5 Gbit/s, 3 Gbit/s or 6 Gbit/s. The speed is similar to SATA. A USB 2.0 port has a theoretical throughput of 480 Mbps (60 MBps), practically only around half of that. An eSATAp port has thus 6 to 24 times more bandwidth than an USB 2.0 port when running applications that involve external storage. USB 3.0 "SuperSpeed" has a raw throughput of 4 Gbit/s, which exceeds the speeds of SATA II (3 Gbit/s), but not SATA III (6 Gbit/s). It also has lower latency since no translation to USB is necessary. In contrast to eSATA, power is already provided, making a second connection with USB or an external power supply unnecessary for sufficiently small devices. This is especially useful for small hard disks.

File:42465-panel.jpg
A Delock eSATAp HDD enclosure.

This is useful for:

  • Backup purposes
  • NAS storage expansion (via eSATA)
  • Use of an external disc for general storage

Devices

eSATAp devices are self powered as compared to eSATA devices which requires external power source.

On a notebook, eSATAp can supply up to 5v to power up a 2.5" HDD/SSD. On a desktop worksation, it can supply up to 12v to power up larger devices including 3.5" HDD/SSD or 5.25" optical drives.

All current standard eSATA devices or USB devices can be used in the eSATAp port. However, only one type of connection can be used at the same time. The port has power for the USB part of the port. Older eSATA devices will still need an external power source.

Implementation

An eSATAp port may be implemented on a PC desktop/notebook or Apple Mac Pro workstation using any of the following methods.

Built-in eSATAp port

Built-in eSATAp port can be found nowadays in many notebook PCs, for example Toshiba Satellite.

Brackets

File:6182b.jpg
An eSATAp bracket
File:Esatap-explain.jpg
Implementing eSATAp using a bracket

Brackets are meant for desktop/workstation. A bracket makes use of the existing SATA port on the motherboard. It converts the SATA port into an eSATAp port. The bracket makes use of the PSU12v to drive eSATAp capable devices. On a desktop, eSATAp can power up a 3.5" HDD or 5.25" Optical disc drive using a single cable connection. A bracket eliminates any incompatibility issues as it makes use of existing setup. It neither needs driver installation, complicated OS registry tweak nor changing the BIOS to AHCI mode.

PCI Express add-on card

Users requiring advanced functionality like a Port multiplier may use an add-on card. An add-on card is for desktop/workstation users. A port multiplier allows a user to connect to a multi-bay NAS (network attached storage) machine with multiple HDD using one eSATA cable. This type of NAS usually have advanced functionality like RAID. Only an eSATAp card with port mulitplier can connect to these type of NAS.

Expresscard

An Expresscard is for mobile computer users. Notebook users or 17" MacBook Pro users may use expresscard to get eSATAp functionality. eSATAp on notebook can only be used to self power up 2.5" HDD/SSD (5v). Larger devices like 3.5" or 5.25" devices may require a separate power supply.

See also

eSATAp is also known as

References

  1. ^ http://www.serialata.org/documents/SATA_Brochure_English_09.2008_final.pdf
  2. ^ http://www.serialata.org/technology/esata.asp
  3. ^ http://www.tweaktown.com/news/12146/msi_shows_off_power_over_e_sata/index.html
  4. ^ http://www.esatap.sg
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