UASP

UASP stands for USB Attached SCSI Protocol. It is a protocol that allows devices to communicate with a host system using the SCSI command set over a USB connection. This is different from the older USB Mass Storage Class (MSC) protocol which uses a different command set. UASP offers several advantages over the traditional MSC protocol, primarily in terms of performance.

One of the key benefits of UASP is its ability to support multiple command queues. This means a UASP-enabled device can send and receive multiple commands simultaneously, significantly improving data transfer speeds, especially for solid-state drives (SSDs) and other high-performance storage devices. UASP also supports larger command block sizes, further contributing to its efficiency.

For UASP to function, both the host system (computer) and the peripheral device must support it. This includes the USB controller on the host and the controller within the peripheral. Many modern external hard drive enclosures and SSDs are UASP-compatible, and most contemporary operating systems include UASP drivers. When a UASP-compatible device is connected to a UASP-compatible host, the operating system will typically detect and utilize the UASP protocol automatically for enhanced performance.