VMware has released a paper titled:"What’s New in VMware vSphere Flash Read Cache". The paper which contains 13 pages gives an overview of what’s new for Flash Read Cache in vSphere 5.5. Flash Read Cache is a Flash-based storage solution which
provides persistent Flash-based storage tier services by utilizing local Flash-based devices on vSphere hosts.
Because the use of a host-based write-through cache is transparent to applications, the solution enables vSphere virtual infrastructures to use the Virtual Flash Resources without having to modify applications. The Virtual Flash Read Cache solution enhances the performance of read-intensive workloads and provides seamless integration with vSphere enterprise features such as vSphere vMotion, vSphere HA and vSphere DRS.
The paper contains the following sections:
- Introduction, detailing what Flash Cach Read Cache is, the infrastructure, software and integration. Also use cases are covered.
- Requirements, covering the vSphere requirements, Storage requirements and Network requirements.
- Installation and Configuration, covering Resource configuration and properties, the host swap cache and read cache.
- Conclusion