Adaptec pushes new hard-disk interface

Adaptec has begun selling a development version of a new Serial ATA chip so engineers can begin testing the data-communication standard. Serial ATA is expected to boost the speed at which desktop and server hard drives can pass on data to other components. An Adaptec plug-in card with its custom Serial ATA chip is geared for use in servers with up to six hard drives, the company said Friday. Prototype chips are expected to ship in the third quarter, with production versions following in the fourth quarter at a cost of $34 per 100, Adaptec said. The company did not announce the price of the development version of the chip.