StarWind Software

We are about to setup a new 2 node StarWind HA SAN to replace our old one. I have heard conflicting reports on this; is the L2 cache now fixed, stable, and ready for production use with build 8198? Any pointers on the best way to setup the L2 cache?

Thanks!
Jeff

Hi,

It should be stable and ready for production, although i would recommend you waiting for next release build. If should contain major fixes and improvements for L2 cache.

Is there a timetable on when the next build with the L2 cache enhancements will be released? Is it currently in beta?

Thanks!
Jeff

Hello!

Yes, L2 cache is in beta now. ETA is 2 weeks.

Hello guys, how to size L1+L2 cache size for FLAT and LSFS devices (dedupe on?)?

Me i use it on production after 2weeks update?

Cache sizing globally answered here: https://forums.starwindsoftware.com/vie ... 318#p24504
More information about LSFS RAM consumption and caching here: https://knowledgebase.starwindsoftware. ... scription/

Thank you for information!

I found this confusing https://www.starwindsoftware.com/techni ... al_SAN.pdf page 9: L2 Note: We recommend using SSD for L2 cache and if it will be used, the formula is 1Gb (sum of L1 and L2) cache per 1Tb storage.

L2 cache needs RAID1 configuration or RAID0 is allowed? Write-Through?

Thx

You can use any type of RAID for L2 caching i believe, and yes, WT is recommended.

Hi guys,

Regarding cache configuration:

Basically, L2 cache should be faster than main storage. In this case, performance improvement is possible. And yes, WT mode for L2.

Hi Vitaliq,

RAID SSD configuration for L2 cache? RAID0? RAID1? Single PCIe SSD?

Thanks, frufru

frufru,

It is up to you. I believe that PCIe SSDs are faster in most cases. My choice would be PCIe SSD.

I'm a bit confused now with regards to the issues with L2 Cache. I was just reading this at the bottom of this different thread: https://forums.starwindsoftware.com/vie ... f=5&t=4333

It mentions issues with LSFS but not L2 cache? So in the current production build, are there issues with LSFS, L2 cache, or both? And, will the build in beta fix the issues with LSFS, L2 cache, or both?

Thanks!
Jeff

Hi mate,

I am using LSFS without L2 cache almost half a year already. And it's performing really nice. I do not put any high load on it. Just using it as a storage for some slightly used typical Terminal Services VMs with online dedupe. And i am happy with it so far. Nevertheless also waiting for L2 cache reviewed

Can someone from StarWind shed a little more light on this? This is holding up our SAN upgrade until we can get some definitive answers on LSFS/L2 cache stability, and how the version currently in beta will change things. Thanks! Jeff

Hi guys,

L2 cache is stable now, feel free to enable it on your systems
LSFS revamped release is coming in a week i believe.