UNH InterOperability Lab Launches SATA-IO Storage Device Certification Testing.

UNH-IOL is the Only U.S. Lab Offering Certification Testing That Covers 100 Percent of the SATA-IO Interoperability Program Requirements

DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) has become the only test house in the United States fully approved to perform all conformance and physical-layer testing for next-generation hard drives and other Serial ATA (SATA) data storage devices as outlined by the Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), the industry association dedicated to advancing SATA technology.

Today's PCs almost invariably rely upon the ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) interface (also known as IDE) to connect hard drives, CD drives, and other storage devices. SATA, a faster, more efficient interface specification, is rapidly replacing ATA. The SATA-IO organization is a cooperative effort between members, dedicated to implementing SATA specifications to promote interoperability between devices from different manufacturers and facilitate industry adoption of the technology.

The UNH-IOL is one of only two labs approved by the SATA-IO to perform the certification testing and the only U.S. lab fully audited and approved to test all of the components specified by the SATA-IO Interoperability Program, including Phy, Digital, Device CabCon (Mechanical) and System Interop.

"The SATA-IO Interoperability Program is a key benefit for SATA-IO members because it helps ensure high-quality SATA products are recognized in the marketplace," said Knut Grimsrud, SATA-IO president and chairman. "The program provides several testing options to member companies, including twice-yearly interoperability workshops and ongoing, year-round testing services provided by certified test labs such as UNH-IOL. SATA-IO is pleased to work with UNH-IOL as a certified SATA interoperability test house."

In addition to performing the SATA-IO testing, the UNH-IOL SATA Testing Consortium works with companies directly, delivering fully comprehensive and detailed test reports designed to help isolate and trouble-shoot potential issues.

"The SATA-IO Integrator's List should give SATA buyers more confidence in the interoperability between these devices," said David Woolf, UNH-IOL SATA Consortium Manager. "This will become even more important as the program expands to cover more and more products. Our goal is to support the SATA-IO Interoperability Program with only the highest quality testing while also offering conformance and interop testing above and beyond the requirements of the program."

A UNH-IOL white paper outlining the program's benefits may be downloaded from the following URL: http://www.iol.unh.edu/press/SATA-IO_UNH-IOL.pdf

About SATA-IO

Formed in September 2004, the SATA-IO is the International Organization that owns and manages Serial ATA specifications as open industry standards. The organization defines and implements Serial ATA storage specifications as the industry's storage needs evolve. It is dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of the SATA technology by maintaining the specifications, promoting and marketing the benefits of the technology and creating future interface features and specifications that carry storage into the next decade. Additional information about the organization, its 165 participating companies and membership is available at www.sata-io.org.

About the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory

Established in 1988, the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) provides neutral third-party interoperability and conformance testing for data communications companies. For more information, visit the UNH-IOL website at: www.iol.unh.edu.