How to Configure SSD Read/Write Cache Acceleration?

User Guide

SSD read cache acceleration is a technology specifically designed to optimize the multi-user data access and sharing experience. By utilizing SSDs as high-speed cache devices, it temporarily stores frequently accessed data from the NAS in the SSD cache space. This significantly improves data read efficiency and effectively alleviates performance bottlenecks in the storage system during high-concurrency access scenarios.

How It Works

As the core device for multi-user data storage and sharing, the NAS handles data read requests from different users and devices daily. When the SSD read cache acceleration feature is active, it continuously monitors the data access patterns within the NAS system, intelligently identifying frequently accessed files, directories, and other data. These "hot" data items are quickly copied to the SSD cache. When subsequent users request the same data, the NAS system no longer needs to retrieve it from traditional high-capacity storage media (such as mechanical hard drives). Instead, it responds directly from the faster SSD cache. This is akin to setting up multiple check-out points for popular books in a library, allowing different readers to access the materials they need more quickly, greatly reducing data transfer wait times.

Benefits

• Improved Multi-User Access Speed: In enterprise office scenarios where multiple employees simultaneously access shared files or project materials on the NAS, enabling SSD read cache acceleration significantly speeds up the loading of frequently accessed files. For example, large design blueprints or important project documents that previously required several seconds or even tens of seconds to load can now be accessed almost instantly by multiple users, avoiding productivity losses due to slow data reads.
• Optimized Data-Intensive Application Experience: For users who frequently use the NAS to set up media servers or database services, SSD read cache acceleration greatly enhances application performance. In media servers, high-definition video streaming and smooth playback of 4K videos are no longer hindered by data read delays. Database services can also respond to queries more efficiently, improving data processing performance.
• Reduced Mechanical Hard Drive Load: Frequent data read operations increase the workload on mechanical hard drives, which can lead to aging and a higher risk of failure over time. SSD read cache acceleration offloads high-frequency data access to SSDs, reducing the read/write cycles on mechanical hard drives. This extends the lifespan of mechanical hard drives and lowers the risk of data loss due to hard drive failures.

Use Cases

• Enterprise File Sharing: Ideal for businesses with extensive file-sharing needs, enabling employees to quickly access shared materials and collaborate efficiently, thereby improving overall team productivity.
• Home Multimedia Center: Home users can build a personal media library on the NAS to store large collections of high-definition movies, music, and photos. Enabling this feature ensures smooth multi-device playback and enhances the home entertainment experience.
• Small-Scale Data Centers: For businesses or individuals setting up small-scale data centers, SSD read cache acceleration effectively improves system performance when running data-intensive applications such as databases or virtualization, ensuring stable and efficient operations.

Steps

1. Click "Settings" on the homepage, then select "Storage Pool Management" to access the storage pool management interface.
2. Scroll down to find the "SSD Read/Write Cache Acceleration" option (it is generally recommended to enable only read cache acceleration).

After clicking "SSD Read Cache Acceleration", enter the configuration interface, select an M.2 hard drive, and then click "Select" to proceed with the next steps.