OCZ starts beta test of Linux-based caching solution

OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (OCZ), a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced that it has initiated a beta test program for its Linux® Acceleration (LXL) Software development and invites its enterprise SSD customers to participate. The new OCZ LXL Software is a fast caching storage solution for OCZ's portfolio of enterprise SSDs and designed specifically for Linux-based physical and virtual environments.

OCZ's unique LXL Software provides a new integrated approach for making application-optimized data cache selections while minimizing I/O access times to SSD flash. It achieves this type of dynamic cache selection optimization by splitting the caching policy engine between the core mechanism running in the Linux kernel and an advanced statistical out-of-band analysis module that optimally determines which data needs to be placed in the cache and stores the data locally in OCZ enterprise-SSDs. The LXL software supports a wide range of OCZ enterprise solid state solutions across multiple interfaces (i.e. Z-Drive R4 PCIe Series, the Talos 2 SAS Series and the Deneva 2 SATA Series).

"By enabling intelligent direct pass caching, all data requests to and from the SAN are streamlined, reducing external traffic by up to 90 percent, as out-of-band communication with the data path provides very high selection efficiencies and ultra-low latency," said Dr. Allon Cohen, Vice President of Software and Solutions for OCZ Technology. "This innovative LXL architecture avoids the data-path processing penalties typically associated with selectively caching data and enables tighter integration of the data path from application to SSD flash. This beta program will allow OCZ to work closely with our partners to demonstrate and explore the benefits that this software delivers when paired with our SSD hardware to form a total solution for Linux-based environments."

Those OCZ enterprise SSD customers interested in exploring the benefits of the LXL Software via this beta release should contact their OCZ representative for more information. As a participant in the LXL beta test program, the OCZ SSD customer agrees to install, test and provide feedback to OCZ based on product functionality and performance and agrees to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to keep all product information confidential and proprietary until it becomes available to the general public. OCZ plans general availability of LXL Software in the early Q2 2013 timeframe.