SCSI
Small Computer System Interface, device interconnection standard allowing daisy chaining of devices. There are various standards of SCSI: SCSI, SCSI-2, SCSI-3 and SCSI-4
Sector
Smallest grouping of data that can be assigned to store data on the media of an Hard Disk Drive, comprises of 512 bytes (section of a track)
Seek (time)
The movement of a head in search of the right data track
Sequential Access
The reading or writing of data in a sequential order as opposed to random access
Servo data / pattern
Magnetic markings that indicate the position of a head relative to a track (guide for head)
Servo system
a recorded segment of the CD that may contain one or more tracks of any type (data/audio)
Settle Time
The time lapse between arrival of the head at a specific track, and the head to stop fibrating so that a reliable read/write can take place
SFF
Small form factor, a committee consisting of suppliers of IDE hard disk drives, formed to agree technical specifications such as E-IDE
Shock rating
Measurement (Gs) indicating how much shock a disk drive before damage could occur
S.M.A.R.T
Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology, an automatic process which provides an advanced warning of device degradation and/or faults, to help prevent loss of data. Early warning system
Spindle Motor
Motor that rotates the platters
Soft Error
A data error which can be corrected by attempting to re-read the data
SSA
Serial Storage Architecture, an new type of interface, using copper or fibre optic connections. Data travels serially (one bit at the time)
Stepper Motor
predecessor of Rotary Voice Coil Motor, component that controls head movement
Storage Density
recording density (see BPI, TPI, Areal Density)
Substrate
The material underneath the magnetic coating of a disk
Surface
each side of a disk has a surface that is coated with the magnetic material for data storage