NetApp 111-00525+D1 FAS / DS storage server hardware Server Hardware / Parts

The NetApp 111-00525 is the PAM II Performance Acceleration Module, a 512GB PCI Express flash cache card sold under the catalogue code X1938A-R5. It extends the controller’s read cache with flash rather than disk, holding recently and frequently read blocks so that random read requests are served from the card instead of the spindles behind it. On workloads with a working set that fits the cache, that removes a large share of the disk seeks and lifts throughput without adding shelves. It is a read cache only and holds no write data, so a card failure costs performance rather than data integrity. The module fits a PCIe x8 slot and is supported on FAS3100, FAS3200 and FAS6000 series controllers and the matching V-Series systems. Note that some resale listings quote this card as 512MB, which is a transcription error for 512GB. Tech-Star, UK-based and shipping worldwide, supplies NetApp flash cache modules for controller upgrade work.