Proximal Data, the leading provider of server-side caching solutions specifically designed for virtualized environments, today introduced AutoCache, fast virtual cache software that eliminates I/O bottlenecks in virtualized servers to increase virtual machine (VM) density, efficiency and performance. AutoCache can increase VM density two to three times with absolutely no impact on IT operations, promising substantial savings in total cost of ownership.

AutoCache was designed from the ground up to solve the VM density problem at the source — the virtualized server. I/O bottlenecks caused by slow disk access limit the number of VMs that can be deployed on virtualized servers. Consequently, as more VMs are added, the disk is unable to keep up with the increased I/O workload and performance hits a bottleneck. AutoCache increases VM density and efficiency while minimizing system resource usage, enabling idle CPUs to support more business applications.

AutoCache is simple to install, as it plugs easily into industry-leading hypervisors and transparently works on all I/O without requiring agents in guest operating systems. The first release of AutoCache supports VMware's ESXi 4.1 and 5.0 hypervisors. AutoCache places the hot I/O into a PCIe flash card or SSD and intelligently supplies priority data traffic to VMs. AutoCache dynamically adjusts to changing workloads and will not impact high availability processes such as VMware vMotion.

AutoCache integrates VMware's vSphere and vCenter management tools seamlessly and provides a single pane to view the performance of all VMs. Proximal Data's powerful analytics reporting engine displays AutoCache's results.

"AutoCache is the first server-side caching solution that was specifically designed to increase VM density in virtualized servers, and it's the only solution that can back up its claim to have no impact on IT operations," said Rory Bolt, CEO of Proximal Data. "With AutoCache, you simply plug it in, turn it on and, within minutes, I/O bottlenecks are relieved, performance is improved and more VMs can be added."

Partner Validation
AutoCache has been tested with the leading PCIe/SSD flash products from LSI and Micron Technology. They are the first PCIe flash card vendors with whom Proximal Data has formed a relationship to provide a joint solution for their customers.

"LSI and Proximal Data have combined their respective solutions to provide accelerated enterprise storage performance in a virtualized environment," said Brent Blanchard, director of worldwide channel sales and marketing, LSI® Corporation. "Proximal Data's AutoCache, when used with the LSI Nytro™ WarpDrive™ PCIe flash card, delivers explosive performance and scalability by lowering data access latencies and resolving the VM density issue that challenges virtualized environments. We are excited to bring this combination to our customers."

"Micron is the performance leader in enterprise PCIe solid state storage," said Ed Doller, vice president and general manager of Micron's enterprise SSD Division. "When using Proximal Data's AutoCache software in combination with Micron's P320 PCIe solution in a virtualized environment, performance bottlenecks are removed, workloads are greatly improved and VM density is maximized."

Industry Validation
"Proximal Data has met a real customer need with performance improvements for server virtualization," said Randy Kerns, senior strategist, Evaluator Group. "Accomplished with a software implementation that does not require agents or sophisticated setup, the caching improvements for storage access will allow users to increase their virtual machine density and virtualization of critical applications with minimal cost and complexity."

"The initial reaction after our analysis of Proximal Data's AutoCache software was 'finally,'" said George Crump, president and founder, Storage Switzerland. "The most interesting capabilities of AutoCache are its rapid return on investment, its simplicity of implementation and its coordination at the hypervisor level. One can start seeing the benefits of SSD right now. Virtualized systems will be capable of supporting more VMs with existing storage infrastructures without sucking up critical system resources or adding more hardware."

Availability and pricing
AutoCache is available now through Proximal Data resellers such as CMT, Harwood, BluechipTek and Condre. Pricing starts at $999 for cache sizes less than 500GB.