{
  "slug": "serial-scsi-protocol",
  "term": "Serial SCSI Protocol",
  "aliases": [
    "SSP"
  ],
  "definition": "The SAS protocol that carries SCSI commands, task management, data and responses between initiator and target ports.",
  "note": "SSP belongs to the SAS protocol layer alongside STP and SMP, but serves a different role from SATA transport or expander management. [spl]\n\nSCSI commands and data travel in distinct information units. A typical successful read returns data followed by a response. A write can exchange readiness and data before its response; error completions and first-burst behavior need separate treatment. [sas-manual] This describes transport, not a new disk command set or a guarantee that data has reached persistent media. [t10-overview]",
  "related": [
    "sas",
    "scsi",
    "serial-ata-tunneled-protocol",
    "serial-management-protocol",
    "sas-phy"
  ],
  "citations": [
    {
      "id": "spl",
      "title": "SNIA dictionary: SAS Protocol Layer",
      "url": "https://www.snia.org/education/online-dictionary/term/sas-protocol-layer",
      "accessed": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
      "id": "t10-overview",
      "title": "T10/02-158r1: SAS technical overview, slides 14, 87, 89 and 93-97 (2002)",
      "url": "https://www.t10.org/ftp/t10/document.02/02-158r1.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-17"
    },
    {
      "id": "sas-manual",
      "title": "Seagate SAS Interface Manual, Rev. C (2009), section 7.2: SSP exchanges and first burst",
      "url": "https://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/disc/manuals/Interface%20manuals/100293071c.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-17"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": [
    "The 2002 T10 presentation supports the basic protocol roles and exchange structure, not current link-rate or device-capability limits."
  ],
  "status": "shipping",
  "advantages": [],
  "limitations": [],
  "supersedes": [],
  "supersededBy": [],
  "firstSeen": null,
  "lastSeen": null,
  "updated": "2026-10-17"
}