SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology)

SMART, or Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology, is a system built into hard drives and solid-state drives to monitor their health and performance. It tracks various data, such as read/write errors and temperature, to predict potential failures before they happen. If issues arise, SMART can alert users, allowing for timely backups and replacements, reducing the risk of data loss. Essentially, it acts as an early warning system for storage devices to ensure their reliability and longevity in storing important information.