ATAPI

Short for AT Attachment Packet Interface, ATAPI is an extension to ATA that allows support for devices such as CD-ROM drives, Tape drives, and other computer peripherals and not just hard drives. Before the release of ATA-4 or ATAPI-4, ATAPI was a different standard from ATA.

• See the ATA definition for further information and a full break down of the ATA history.

Also see: CD definitions, Hard drive definitions, IDE