SCSI Pass-Through Direct
Encyclopedia
SCSI Pass Through Direct (SPTD) is a proprietary
device driver
and application programming interface
(API) developed by Duplex Secure Ltd. that provides a new method of access to SCSI
storage devices. The SPTD API is not open to the public.
and Alcohol 120%. It is also utilized in PowerArchiver
Pro 2010 (v11.60+); however, a configurable option is available to disable it. It is known to be incompatible with kernel-mode debugging
including WinDbg
and Microsoft's other command line debuggers as well as SoftICE
. Further, certain versions of the freeware
optical media burning software ImgBurn
will issue a warning, "SPTD can have a detrimental effect on drive performance", if the application detects that SPTD is active or installed.
ConeXware, Inc. (the maker of PowerArchiver) claims that in their internal testing, SPTD improved optical drive performance by up to 20 percent in comparison to the "old school" SCSI Pass Through Interface
.
Proprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
device driver
Device driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....
and application programming interface
Application programming interface
An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
(API) developed by Duplex Secure Ltd. that provides a new method of access to SCSI
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface is a set of standards for physically connecting and transferring data between computers and peripheral devices. The SCSI standards define commands, protocols, and electrical and optical interfaces. SCSI is most commonly used for hard disks and tape drives, but it...
storage devices. The SPTD API is not open to the public.
Uses
SPTD is used by Daemon ToolsDaemon Tools
Daemon Tools is a disk image emulator and optical disc authoring program for Microsoft Windows. Daemon Tools was originally a furtherance in the development of another program, Generic SafeDisc emulator, and incorporated all of its features. The program claims to be able to defeat most copy...
and Alcohol 120%. It is also utilized in PowerArchiver
PowerArchiver
PowerArchiver is a proprietary file archiver for Microsoft Windows, developed by ConeXware Inc. It supports full read-write access to several different archive formats, including ZIP, 7z and Tar. Additionally, read-only support includes RAR, ACE and various disk image formats. The evaluation...
Pro 2010 (v11.60+); however, a configurable option is available to disable it. It is known to be incompatible with kernel-mode debugging
Debugging
Debugging is a methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program or a piece of electronic hardware, thus making it behave as expected. Debugging tends to be harder when various subsystems are tightly coupled, as changes in one may cause bugs to emerge...
including WinDbg
WinDbg
WinDbg is a multipurposed debugger for Microsoft Windows, distributed on the web by Microsoft. It can be used to debug user mode applications, drivers, and the operating system itself in kernel mode...
and Microsoft's other command line debuggers as well as SoftICE
SoftICE
SoftICE is a kernel mode debugger for Microsoft Windows. Crucially, it is designed to run underneath Windows such that the operating system is unaware of its presence. Unlike an application debugger, SoftICE is capable of suspending all operations in Windows when instructed...
. Further, certain versions of the freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
optical media burning software ImgBurn
ImgBurn
ImgBurn is a freeware program that allows the recording of many types of CD/DVD images to recordable media . Starting with version 2.0.0.0, ImgBurn can also burn files and data directly to CD/DVD. It supports padding DVD-Video files so the layer break occurs on a proper cell boundary...
will issue a warning, "SPTD can have a detrimental effect on drive performance", if the application detects that SPTD is active or installed.
ConeXware, Inc. (the maker of PowerArchiver) claims that in their internal testing, SPTD improved optical drive performance by up to 20 percent in comparison to the "old school" SCSI Pass Through Interface
SCSI Pass Through Interface
SCSI Pass Through Interface is an application programming interface accessing a SCSI device. It is developed by Microsoft Corporation and is part of the Windows NT family of operating systems.- Overview :...
.
See also
- SCSISCSISmall Computer System Interface is a set of standards for physically connecting and transferring data between computers and peripheral devices. The SCSI standards define commands, protocols, and electrical and optical interfaces. SCSI is most commonly used for hard disks and tape drives, but it...
- Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI)
- SCSI Pass Through InterfaceSCSI Pass Through InterfaceSCSI Pass Through Interface is an application programming interface accessing a SCSI device. It is developed by Microsoft Corporation and is part of the Windows NT family of operating systems.- Overview :...
(SPTI)