SATA drives, or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment drives, are a type of storage device commonly used in computers and servers. They connect to the motherboard using a SATA interface, allowing for faster data transfer rates compared to older technologies like PATA (Parallel ATA). SATA drives come in two main forms: hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs), each offering different performance and storage capacities. These drives are popular for their ease of installation and compatibility with most systems. SATA technology supports hot swapping, meaning drives can be replaced without shutting down the computer. This feature is particularly useful for data centers and users who require reliable and efficient storage solutions.