Optimizing SSD cache with drive pool, trying to keep most recent files in cache for faster reads.

[bobloadmire]

2 questions.

1. Can I specify to keep the most recent files in the SSD cache for faster reads, while also duplicating them to archive disks during the nightly schedule? Essentially files would be duplicated at night during down time, and also files wouldn't be deleted from the SSD cache. However the cache would operate on a first in/last out algorithm, so that the most recent files would be kept on the cache for faster access? once the oldest file is to be replaced by the newest file, it would just get deleted from the cache since it would have been placed on the archive disk.

 

2. can I specify some folders to always be on the SSD cache? for instance my Plex database would be great to have permanently in the SSD cache. I have no need to duplicate this database, as it can always be rebuilt easily.

 

Thanks!

[Shane]

"1. Can I specify to keep the most recent files in the SSD cache for faster reads, while also duplicating them to archive disks during the nightly schedule?"

No; files can be placed by file and folder name, not by file age. You could try requesting it via the contact form? Not sure whether it'd work better as a plug-in or a placement rule (maybe the latter as an option when pattern matching, e.g. "downloads\*.*" + "newer than 7 days" = "keep on drives A, B, D").

"2. can I specify some folders to always be on the SSD cache?"

Yes; you can use Manage Pool -> Balancing -> File Placement feature to do this. You would also need to tick "Balancing plug-ins respect file placement rules" and un-tick "Unless the drive is being emptied" in Manage Pool -> Balancing -> Settings. If you're using the Scanner balancing plug-in, you should also tick "File placement rules respect real-time file placement limits set by the balancing plug-ins".

[bobloadmire]

thank you, clear and concise. Re #1, seems like it shouldn't be too hard to implement, would be very powerful feature. 

[duro]

+1 for #1

It would be great to be able to specify a time limit for files to age out of the cache. Keeping them on the SSD for a few days would reduce reads to my HDDs by at least half I would estimate - seems like something the spin-down crowd would really appreciate.