1. Read cache for each logical drive (RAID array)
2. Write cache for each logical drive (RAID array)
3. Write cache for each physical disk (on each HDD or SSD)

The cache settings can be changed at any time without affecting your server's operation, and does not need a system restart for the settings to take effect.

Read cache for each logical drive (RAID array)

• Enabled—The controller transfers data from the logical drive to its local cache in portions equal to the stripe size. Use this setting for the best performance when workloads are steady and sequential.
• Disabled—The controller transfers data from the logical drive to its local cache in portions equal to the system I/O request size. Use this setting for the best performance when workloads are random or the system I/O requests are smaller than the stripe size.

1. In the Enterprise View, select a controller, then select a logical drive on that controller.
2. On the ribbon, in the Logical Device group, click Set Properties. The Set Properties window opens.
3. In the Read Cache drop-down list, select Enabled or Disabled, as needed.
4. Click OK.

Write cache for each logical drive (RAID array)

The write cache setting determines when data is stored on a disk drive and when the controller communicates with the operating system. You can set the Write Cache to:

• Disabled (write-through)—The controller sends (or writes) the data to a disk drive, then sends confirmation to the operating system that the data was received. Use this setting when performance is less important than data protection.
• Enabled (write-back)—The controller sends confirmation to the operating system that the data was received, then writes the data to a disk drive. Use this setting when performance is more important than data protection and you aren't using a battery-backup cache or zero-maintenance cache protection module.
• Enabled (write-back) when protected by battery/ZMM—Similar to Enabled (write-back), but used when the controller is protected by a zero-maintenance cache protection module (#3AFM700).

Note: (RAID 10, 50, and 60 only) All logical drives comprising a RAID 10/50/60 logical device must have the same write cache setting—either all write-through or all write-back.

To quickly change the write cache setting:

1. In the Enterprise View, select a controller, then select a logical drive on that controller.
2. On the ribbon, in the Logical Device group, click Set Properties. The Set Properties window opens.
3. In the Write Cache drop-down list, select Enabled, Enabled when protected by battery/ZMM, or Disabled, as needed.
4. Click OK.

Write Cache Policy for an Individual Drive

Note: You can change the write cache setting for an individual drive only if the Global Write Cache Policy is set to "Drive Specific."

By default, disk drive write caching is disabled in maxView Storage Manager. To enable or disable write caching on an individual drive:

1. In the Enterprise View, select a controller then, in the Physical Devices tree, select a disk drive.
2. On the ribbon, in the Physical Device group, click Set Properties. The Set Properties window opens.
3. In the Write-back Cache drop-down list, select Enabled or Disabled.
4. Click OK.