Promise Technology 15110 user manual Cache Settings, RAID Level Migration, Where to Make Settings

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Chapter 7: Technology Background

Cache Settings

There is a data cache on the VTrak controller and another one on each Physical disk drive. A cache holds data in volatile memory during RAID management and data transfer activity. The right combination of cache settings for your needs can improve VTrak’s efficiency and performance.

Physical Drive Write Cache – Activates the write cache on the disk drive.

Write Back Cache – Activates write-back feature of VTrak’s controller cache. A write back cache holds data after an I/O operation and tells the controller the data has been written. The data is written as soon as the disk drive is no longer busy.

This action increases availability of the disk array. If the power fails before the data is written to the disk drive, the data will be lost.

VTrak’s controller cache is equipped with a backup battery to power the cache and retain uncommitted cache data in it until regular power can be restored. Battery condition is reported by WebPAM PRO on page 106 and the CLU on page 152.

The alternative is a write-through cache policy, which reports that the data has been written to the disk only when it actually has.

Where to Make Settings

In WebPAM PRO, these functions are under:

Click on the Disk Array icon, then click on the Settings tab. See page 119

In the CLU, these functions are under:

Drive Write Cache – From the Main Menu, press 2 Enter, 2 Enter. See page 155

VTrak’s Cache Policy – From the Main Menu, press 3 Enter, 4 Enter, 3 Enter. See page 166

RAID Level Migration

To migrate a disk array is to do one or both of the following:

Change its RAID level

Increase the number of disk drives (sometimes called Expansion)

Migration takes place on an existing Functional disk array without disturbing the existing data. While the disk array is migrating, you can access the data as before. When migration is complete, your disk array will have a different RAID level and/or a larger capacity.

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Promise Technology 15110 user manual Cache Settings, RAID Level Migration, Where to Make Settings