ATA Commands
Functional Description
Zeus Ultra DMA Solid State Drives
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2.4.4
Vendor-Specific ATA Commands
As with standard ATA command, the software requirements and syntax of the vendor-
specific ATA commands the host issues to the Zeus SSD are issued to the ATA by
loading the required registers in the command block with the supplied parameters, and
then writing the command code to the register.
For additional information on proprietary SimpleTech ATA commands, contact your
SimpleTech representative. Contact information is provided in “Contact and Ordering
Information” on page 31.
2.4.4.1 Sanitize Erase/Fill
Zeus SSDs offer optional destructive and non-destructive sanitization (purge) features.
Non-destructive security erase removes the drive’s data, then overwrites (fills) each
addressable block of memory with a predetermined pattern, as specified by the
sanitization specification, such as DoD 5220.22M, to which the SSD complies.The
destructive security erase feature removes the drive’s data, and then destroys the flash
media—making the SSD totally unusable and data retrieval impossible. SimpleTech’s
non-destructive and patent-pending destructive security erase algorithms monitor and
confirm completion of the sanitization process.
Both security erase features support Low Power and Fast Erase options. The Low Power
option accesses each addressable memory block sequentially to conserve power. The
Fast Erase option accesses all addressable blocks simultaneously, forgoing power
conservation for speed.
