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Smart Response Technology

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In computing, Smart Response Technology (SRT) (pre-launch name SSD Caching) is a proprietary caching mechanism introduced in 2011 by Intel for their Z68 chipset (for the Sandy Bridge–series processors), which allows a SATA solid-state drive (SSD) to function as cache for a (conventional, magnetic) hard disk drive.[1]

SRT is managed by Intel Rapid Storage Technology software version 10.5 or later,[2] and implemented in its device driver and the Z68 motherboard's firmware (option ROM). It is available only when the (integrated) disk controller is configured in RAID mode (but not AHCI or IDE modes) by implementing a style of RAID-0 striping. Write-back (Maximized mode) or write-through (Enhanced mode) caching strategy can be selected by the user. The maximum utilizable cache size on the SSD is 64 GB. Caching is done at the logical block addressing (LBA) level, not the file level.[3]

Shortly before the announcement of the new chipset, Intel also introduced the Intel 311 (Larson Creek), a 20 GB single-level cell (SLC) solid-state drive, which it markets as suitable for caching.[4][5] TRIM garbage collection is currently not supported for SRT caching devices, so the SSD's performance is solely maintained by its own firmware.[citation needed]

With the release of Ivy Bridge chipsets, support for SRT was provided in a larger variety of desktop chipsets, including Z77, Q77, H77 (but not Z75, Q75 or B75) as long as an "Intel Core Processor" is used.[6] The situation is similar for Haswell desktop chipsets, with Z87, Q87, H87 listed as supported.[7] The Ivy Bridge-E chipset X79 did not officially support SRT at launch, but some companies like ASRock added support to their boards via BIOS updates.[8][9] The arrival of Ivy Bridge also saw SRT support added to mobile chipsets: QS77, QM77, UM77 and HM77 support SRT, while HM76 does not.[10]

In 2012, Intel also introduced the 313 (Hawley Creek) caching SSD series (20 and 24 GB), which was advertised as suitable for use in Ultrabooks as well.[11]

As of 2012, SRT was limited to using at most 64 GB for caching, meaning that on larger SSDs the rest remains unused.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Anand Lal Shimpi (May 11, 2011). "Intel Z68 Chipset & Smart Response Technology (SSD Caching) Review". AnandTech. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  2. ^ Intel® Smart Response Technology User Guide, Intel
  3. ^ Allyn Malventano (May 11, 2011). "Intel Smart Response Technology: SSD Caching on Z68 Tested". PC Perspective. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Larsen Creek gets SLC NAND, 4 new Intel SSD series, Nordic Hardware
  5. ^ Andrew Ku (May 11, 2011). "Intel SSD 311 (Larson Creek): Z68-Optimized". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  6. ^ http://www.techspot.com/guides/519-intel-z77-panther-point-chipset/page2.html
  7. ^ http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-032826.htm
  8. ^ http://www.asrock.com/news/index.asp?cat=News&ID=858
  9. ^ http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mainboards/display/20121023203932_Asrock_Adds_Smart_Response_Technology_to_Intel_X79_High_End_Desktop_Platform.html
  10. ^ http://www.anandtech.com/show/5872/intel-dual-core-ivy-bridge-launch-and-ultrabook-review
  11. ^ http://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-ssd-313-series-cache-drive,15220.html
  12. ^ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/12/feature_what_the_best_solid_state_disk_configuration/
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