The set of AT Attachment standards consists of this standard and the ATA implementation standards described in AT Attachment - 8 ATA/ATAPI Architecture Model (ATA8-AAM). The AT Attachment ATA Command Set (ATA8-ACS) specifies the command set host systems use to access storage devices. It provides a common command set for systems manufacturers, system integrators, software suppliers, and suppliers of intelligent storage devices. Figure 1 shows the relationship of this standard to the other standards and related projects in the ATA and SCSI families of standards and specifications.

ATA8-ACS maintains compatibility with the AT Attachment with Packet Interface - 7 standard (ATA/ATAPI-7), INCITS 397-2005 volume 1, while providing additional functions.