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Storage controller

A storage controller, is a digital circuit that manages the flow of data going to and from a computer storage device.[1] The term "storage controller" may refer to either the storage interface controller on CPU or chipset, the flash memory controller on solid state drive, or the disk controller on hard disk drive.

History

In history, the storage interface controller is usually integrated in southbridge. AMD Zen 1 archirecture (2017) and Intel Rocket Lake archirecture (2021) had integrated the M.2 storage interface controller in CPU.[2][3]

Variants

Floppy disk controller

In 1990s PCs, the floppy disk controller is usually integrated in super I/O chip.

IDE controller

In older PCs, the IDE controller is usually integrated in southbridge.[4]

SCSI controller

In older workstations and servers used as a high-end alternative to consumer-grade IDE hard disk drives. Gave way to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).

AHCI controller

The AHCI controller is usually integrated in southbridge.[5]

M.2 controller

The M.2 controller is usually integrated in SoC, CPU, or southbridge.

RAID controller

The RAID controller is usually found on more advanced computers such as servers.

See also

References