Definition: Sector


A 512-byte packet of data in EIDE and SCSI hard drives. This is the smallest amount of data that can be read or written to the drive from the host interface. On Macintosh and Unix drives, sectors are usually grouped into blocks or logical blocks that function as the smallest data unit permitted. Since these blocks are often defined as a single sector, the terms block and sector are sometimes used interchangeably in this context. (Note: The meaning of the term block in connection with the physical configuration of the disk is different from its meaning at the system level. (See also block and cluster.)




DID YOU KNOW?  DATA RECOVERY FACTS AND TERMINOLOGY:

Data Recovery Fact

Areal Density

The number of bits of data that can be recorded onto the surface of a disk or platter usually measured in square inches. The areal density is calculated by multiplying the bit density (BPI - Bits Per Inch) by the track density (TPI - Tracks Per Inch).

Please visit our Data Recovery Knowledgebase for more facts and terminology.