Now NetApp performs server-side caching too

In addition to existing caching technologies, such as Flex Cache and Flex Pool, August 21^st, 2012 NetApp announced the Flash Accel solution which speeds application performance using server-side cache for storing frequently accessed data working with NetApp storage arrays.

The Flash Accel is the software leveraging the existing SSD and PCIe flash memory hardware installed into the servers. Will be supported the SSD and PCI-e flash memory products of Server Partner Caching Alliance members: Fusion-io, LSI, Micron, QLogic, SanDisk (FlashSoft), STEC and Virident.  Also the first version of Flash Accel will support Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and 2008 and VMware vSphere  5. (including DRS, HA and vMotion support).

The Flash Accel provides the following features:

• End-to-End Intelligent Data Coherency: if data blocks are changed on the backend array the Flash Accel will update the local cache accordingly. 
• Cache Persistency and Durability: Flash Accel preserves cache content consistently with applications in the event of server and VM reboot and crashes. After the server restart the cache content is checked and updated as the server is back on, what allows to have a warm cache after restart.

It’s also interesting that competing with other server-side caching solutions such as HP flash cache in Gen8 servers and EMC VFcache the Flash Accel is looking more open allowing to use hardware from different SSD and PCI-e flash memory vendors. 

But anyway, we shouldn’t also forget about other server-side caching solutions which are external storage system independent, e.g. FlashSoft from SANDisk , Nytro XD from LSI or ioTurbine from Fusion IO.