Over at Tom's Hardware recently they have come out with three articles about storage comunications.

 

IDE Training Course, Part 1: A Detailed Look at the Basics and Technology

IDE is the most common interface for all kinds of drives. In part 1 of our series, we'll explain all of the standards, the history and the configuration. We'll also give you some valuable hints on how to get the most out of your hard drive.

IDE Training Course, Part 2: Performance and Data Security with RAID

Once upon a time, IDE drives were simple data storage devices, but now you can connect several hard drives thanks to inexpensive RAID controllers. RAID mode 0 evenly distributes the data to all available drives, ideally multiplying transmission capacity. RAID 1, on the other hand, uses additional hard drives as additional data storage devices in order to maximize data security.

Then a look at the near future.

 

Back To The Future: Serial ATA Arrives At Last

It will all be worth it in the end. With 150 MByte/s, simpler cabling and guaranteed compatibility with earlier parallel ATA standards, Serial ATA looks set to become the dominant interface for hard disks. There are many claims being made for this new standard - but are they justified? Here, THG puts a spotlight on the technology and checks out the first products.