The Silicon Strip Detector (SSD) forms the two outermost layers of the ALICE Inner Track-
ing System (ITS), connecting the TPC with the inner layers of the ITS. The SSD consists of
1698 double-sided silicon microstrip modules, 95 μm pitch, distributed in two cylindrical bar-
rels, whose radii are 38 cm and 43 cm, respectively. With 4.8 square meters it is today’s largest
installed double-sided strip detector. The design and construction will be discussed, both in view
of the requirements of a decade ago and in the light of today’s achieved performance. Like the
other LHC detectors, the SSD is waiting for beam after extensive commissioning with cosmics.
These commissioning results will be presented. Cosmics data without magnetic field were used
for alignment and for relative gain calibration. Together with the measured noise this allowed
the signal-to-noise ratio to be determined as well as the charge matching quality. Cosmics data
collected with magnetic field were used for energy-loss calibratio