The SCSI Architecture Model (SAM) is a standards-based reference model for the shared behavior and abstract structure of SCSI input/output systems. It helps define how conforming SCSI components work together; it is not a cable, connector, bus speed, or required hardware design. The current published generation identified in official standards catalogs is SAM-6, under INCITS 546.
What does SAM mean in SCSI?
SAM stands for SCSI Architecture Model. ANSI/INCITS describes SAM-6 as defining “a reference model that specifies common behaviors for SCSI devices” and “an abstract structure that is generic to all SCSI I/O system implementations.” The standard family uses that shared framework to support interoperability among conforming implementations. ANSI/INCITS SAM-6 standard record
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In practical terms, SAM describes behavior and relationships at an architectural level, without requiring every device or system to use the same internal design. It does not identify a particular physical connection or transport.
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How SAM fits with SCSI commands and transports
SCSI standards address different layers of the problem. SAM provides the common architectural framework; other standards define what commands mean or how they are carried. As an explanatory analogy—not wording from the standard—SAM supplies shared rules of interaction, command standards define operations, and transport standards define how those operations travel.
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| Standards layer | What it addresses | Example or scope |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture model | Common behavior and generic structure for SCSI I/O implementations | SAM |
| Common commands | Commands basic to device models and commands that may apply across models | SCSI Primary Commands (SPC), as described by INCITS INCITS T10/SCSI committee page |
| Device-specific commands | Behavior and operations appropriate to particular device types | Device-specific command standards |
| Transport or protocol | How commands are conveyed over a particular interface | Transport standards; T10 notes that other standards organizations are responsible for some interfaces or transports, including Fibre Channel and iSCSI. T10 SCSI architecture |
These categories clarify what each standard is for; they do not imply that every SCSI implementation uses one identical stack.
What is SAM-6, and which year should you use?
SAM-6 is the sixth-generation SCSI Architecture Model identified in the reviewed official catalogs. ANSI’s record names the document INCITS 546-2021, while T10’s project page lists it as published under INCITS 546-2021 and shows a five-year review action in 2027. ANSI/INCITS SAM-6 standard record · T10 SAM-6 project page
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T10’s working-draft listing has a visible year-label discrepancy: it gives revision 08 a date of 2021-05-29, but its text says the approved standard is ANSI INCITS 546-2022. T10 distinguishes the committee working draft from the approved standard, which may be purchased separately. The ANSI record identifies INCITS as publisher. For accuracy, refer to the edition as SAM-6 / INCITS 546 and attribute a year to the specific catalog or document that displays it rather than silently treating the labels as interchangeable. T10 working drafts catalog
What SAM-6 makes obsolete
ANSI’s SAM-6 summary says this edition makes the following concepts from previous versions obsolete:
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- The TARGET RESET task management function
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This is a version-specific statement about SAM-6; it does not establish that every older SCSI implementation lacks those concepts. ANSI/INCITS SAM-6 standard record
Is SAM-6 changing?
T10’s September 2026 working-group agenda includes a discussion item related to overlapped-tag behavior and SAM-6. An agenda item shows that the subject is under discussion; by itself, it does not show that a change was adopted or that a new SAM edition was published. T10 September 2026 working-group agenda
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How the name developed
T10’s historical note says the original “SCSI-3 Architecture Model (SAM)” became “SCSI Architecture Model – 2 (SAM-2)” when revised. The name has continued through later editions, with SAM-6 the current published generation identified in the cited catalogs. T10 SCSI architecture
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