How to Use SSD Cache Acceleration?

SSD Cache Acceleration uses solid-state drives (SSDs) as cache for volumes. It stores frequently accessed data on high-speed SSDs to improve read/write performance in daily use.

Important Notes

1. To create SSD Cache, you need at least one internal SSD that is not used for a volume and has a capacity greater than 10 GB.

   If the remaining space on the system drive (excluding the system partition) meets the above conditions, it can also be used to create SSD Cache. This will increase read/write activity on the system drive and may shorten its lifespan. Please choose carefully.

2. A single SSD Cache can be assigned to multiple volumes. If capacity remains after the initial allocation, it can be assigned to other volumes later.

3. When creating SSD Cache with multiple drives, you can select a RAID mode for data protection or better performance.

4. Two cache modes are available: Read-Only Cache and Read/Write Cache (Write Cache for ZFS). Using an unreliable drive for Read/Write Cache may cause data loss and corrupt the entire volume. Please choose carefully.

5. To delete a Read/Write SSD Cache, always use the interface. Never physically remove the SSD from the device, as this may result in data loss.

6. Expanding, replacing drives, or changing the storage mode of an existing cache is not currently supported. If needed, delete the cache and recreate it.

Create SSD Cache

Log in with an administrator account, open System Settings > Storage > SSD Cache Acceleration from the desktop, and click Create SSD Cache.

1. Select Volume

Select the volume to use with SSD Cache.

For Btrfs and ext4 volumes, only one volume can be selected during creation. However, if more than 10 GB of cache capacity remains after allocation, you can assign the remaining capacity to other volumes. See "4. Assign Cache Capacity" below for details.

For ZFS volumes, multiple volumes cannot share a single SSD Cache.

2. Select Cache Mode

For Btrfs and ext4 volumes, you can choose Read-Only Cache or Read/Write Cache. Read-Only Cache caches frequently accessed data to accelerate read operations and is suitable for read-heavy, write-light scenarios. Read/Write Cache caches read and write data to improve performance and is suitable for high-frequency write scenarios.

For ZFS volumes, you can choose Read-Only Cache (L2ARC) or Write Cache (SLOG). ZFS uses physical memory as the primary cache (ARC) by default. Adding L2ARC accelerates frequently accessed file reads and is suitable for read-heavy scenarios, but increases memory usage. SLOG accelerates synchronous write operations and is suitable for frequent writes or virtualization scenarios that require high data consistency.

3. Select Hard Drives and Storage Mode

Select one or more hard drives on the left side of the page to create SSD Cache.

Based on the number of selected drives, the right side will dynamically display the available storage modes. After selecting a storage mode, you can confirm the estimated cache capacity at the bottom of the dialog. Click Next after confirming.

Note:

• If the cache storage mode does not provide data protection, such as Basic or RAID 0, and Read/Write Cache is selected, data loss is likely if the SSD is damaged, disconnected, or improperly removed. For ZFS volumes, this warning applies to Write Cache (SLOG). Please choose carefully.

4. Assign Cache Capacity

For Btrfs and ext4 volumes, you can specify the cache capacity to assign to this volume. The remaining capacity can be assigned to other volumes.

5. Confirm Information

6. Confirm Formatting

The hard drives used for the cache will be formatted, and all data will be deleted. Enter the administrator password for final confirmation.

7. Created Successfully

Assign SSD Cache Capacity

For Btrfs and ext4 volumes, multiple volumes can share the same SSD Cache. When the SSD Cache has unallocated partitions, click Assign, select the volume, cache mode, and capacity to allocate, then click Assign.

Enter the administrator password and click Assign.

Assignment completed successfully.

Delete SSD Cache

When the cache is assigned to only one volume, click Cache > More > Delete to delete the cache.

When the cache is assigned to multiple volumes, click Volume Capacity Allocation > Remove to remove all partitions individually. The cache is automatically deleted after all partitions are removed.

Please note that removing a Read/Write Cache requires writing cached data back to the volume, which may take some time.