The Linux CD-ROM HOWTO - faqs.org
2008-8-3 · 3.1. ATAPI CD-ROM Drives. ATAPI (ATA Packet Interface) is a protocol for controlling mass storage devices. It builds on the ATA (AT Attachment) interface, the official ANSI standard name for the IDE interface developed for hard disk drives. ATAPI is commonly used for hard disks, CD-ROM drives, tape drives, and other devices.