1. Flash Usage Models for the Oracle Database
• Transparent disk replacement for databases
– One for one replacement for conventional disks
– Array caching layer
– Auto-tiering storage layer
Flash storage is transparent to the database and managed by the
storage layer. The management of flash storage does not possess
knowledge for how the database functions.
• Fast storage managed by the database kernel
– Database Smart Flash Cache
– Exadata Smart Flash Cache
With respect to the management of flash storage, there is significant
value of having internal knowledge of the database’s functionality.

2. Database Smart Flash Cache
Access Buffer Cache
-> Flash Cache
SGA SGA
Hot Data Hot Data
Warm Data Warm Data
If not enough space in
Cold Data “Buffer Cache”, then
write “Clean Block” to Cold Data
“Flash Cache”
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3. Exadata Smart Flash Cache
Exadata Database Machine
Storage Grid
• 14x 2-socket storage servers
• 100 TB high-speed disk, or
336 TB high-capacity disk
Database Grid Servers
• 5 TB PCI Flash
• Smart Flash Cache holds hot
data
InfiniBand Internal Net
• Over 1.5 million IO/sec from
SQL (8K)
• Sub-millisecond response
• 75 GB/sec query throughput
1 or 10 Gb Ethernet to Data Center
© 2011 Oracle Corporation
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4. Database Flash Usage Models
Physical Disks
FLASH
FLASH Cache
Storage
Logical Disks
FLASH
Exadata Smart
FLASH
Flash Cache
Database Smart
Flash Cache FLASH Cache (SGA)
Database