A new high density cache memory feature from Sun allows upgrades to 128 GB of cache memory on the Sun StorEdgeTM 9980 storage system and up to 64 GB on the Sun StorEdgeTM 9970 system. There is also a new shared memory module that can extend capacity to 4 GB on the above mentioned storage systems when total cache memory capacity is 64 GB or more.

The nonvolatile cache memory has 48-hour battery backup and duplicates write data to prevent data loss even when a failure of one component occurs in the power supply or a PCB. This new high density Cache Memory module requires the installation of the new Shared Memory module also being made available as part of this announcement.

The larger cache will improve performance of write-intensive applications and random I/O applications. To assist the performance of these applications, now even more data can be "locked" into cache in real time with Sun StorEdgeTM 9900 FlashAccess cache residency manager software, allowing read and write functions to be performed at cache speeds, with no disk latency delay.

In addition, those users deploying disaster recovery solutions based on the Sun StorEdgeTM 9900 TrueCopy asynchronous technology will also experience a major benefit since the extra cache space will enhance the ability of the 9980 and 9970 systems to handle the pending transfer data.

The nonvolatile shared memory has seven-day battery backup and can be used to store cache directories and disk control information. The capacity of shared memory varies with the capacity of cache memory mounted and the storage capacity (number of LDEVs).

The value for users is better response time. For example, in a read-only situation, more data can be brought into cache so that searches can be conducted at electronic rather than electro-mechanical speeds. In a write situation, writes can be batched and written in a sequential/efficient manner. In both cases, response times are improved.

Both the high density cache memory and the shared memory module are built with 512 MB DRAM versus the current 256 MB DRAM. Users should note that, while these DRAMs can be run in high performance mode, they must be done so separately and cannot be mixed if that is the user's intention. Furthermore, the installation of these memory modules must be considered semi-disruptive because half of the cache memory will be taken off line and not available to the host during the installation of each cluster of the control unit.

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