Which type of disk interface allows personal computers to communicate with peripheral hardware?

The correct choice, which is SCSI, is a type of disk interface standard that allows personal computers to communicate with various peripheral hardware, such as hard drives, scanners, and printers. SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface. It enables multiple devices to be connected to a single controller, allowing efficient data transfer between the computer and the devices. SCSI supports various data transfer methods, making it versatile and widely used in enterprise and server environments where performance and reliability are crucial.

Other options, while they also serve functions related to data transfer and communication, have more specific uses. SATA, for example, is primarily designed for connecting storage devices like hard drives and solid-state drives directly to the motherboard, focusing mainly on internal storage solutions. IDE, short for Integrated Drive Electronics, refers to an older interface that predominantly connects hard drives and optical drives but lacks the broader peripheral communication capabilities of SCSI. USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, is primarily used for connecting peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, and printers, but it operates differently and is distinct from the traditional disk interface standards that specifically manage storage devices.