The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →An Optane NVMe is most useful as an OmniOS ZFS SLOG when your workload makes latency-sensitive synchronous writes and the pool is backed by mechanical disks. It is not a general write cache. Using the same device as a normal pool vdev changes the pool’s data and failure layout, while choosing passthrough or a virtual disk is a separate virtualization decision. For an all-in-one server, use a vdisk SLOG only after confirming that the hypervisor preserves guest flushes and the required write-persistence behavior.
Choose the ZFS role before choosing how to present the device
“SLOG or pool disk?” and “passthrough or vdisk?” are different questions. The first determines what the Optane device does in ZFS; the second determines how the storage VM accesses it.
| Choice | What the Optane device does | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| SLOG | Stores ZFS intent-log records for synchronous writes. | Useful to evaluate for a workload that actually issues fsync or O_SYNC, especially on a pool backed by mechanical storage. It is not a general-purpose write cache. OpenZFS workload-tuning guidance |
| Normal pool vdev | Becomes part of the pool’s persistent data layout. | Plan redundancy within each top-level vdev. A non-redundant top-level device can put the whole pool at risk if it fails. OmniOS zpool manual and OpenZFS vdev documentation |
| Special vdev | Can hold metadata and, optionally, small blocks as persistent pool storage. | This is a distinct pool design, not a disposable cache; provide appropriate redundancy and check removal constraints before adding one. OpenZFS workload-tuning guidance |
| Passthrough or vdisk | Defines how the storage VM sees the device, not its ZFS role. | Verify the hypervisor’s flush handling, cache settings, and write persistence for the actual host and guest configuration. napp-it all-in-one guide |
When an Optane SLOG makes sense
ZFS always has an intent log; a separate log device is optional. OpenZFS says: “If your workload involves fsync or O_SYNC and your pool is backed by mechanical storage, consider adding one or more SLOG devices.” Its guidance identifies Optane / 3D XPoint SSDs as likely strong SLOG choices. That recommendation is conditional: a fast sequential benchmark or the presence of an NVMe drive alone does not establish a benefit.
A SLOG serves synchronous writes. It does not accelerate ordinary asynchronous writes simply because it is installed. Do not change an application’s write behavior to synchronous merely to put the device to use. First establish that the workload issues synchronous writes and that their latency is a real concern.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- OEM PRODUCT, NO PACKAGING.
Size the log device for the workload, not a rule of thumb
OpenZFS gives a 4 GB namespace as a somewhat arbitrary example for a NAND-flash SLOG. The documentation says most systems do not write close to 4 GB to the ZIL between transaction-group commits; if a workload needs more, it advises sizing no larger than maximum ARC size. This is a NAND/namespace example, not a universal Optane sizing requirement or a performance result.
The napp-it all-in-one guide describes a 10–20 GB Optane-backed SLOG vdisk and gives a 20 GB Optane 900P example. Treat those figures as that guide’s configuration advice, not a general sizing formula. Size according to the actual platform guidance and workload rather than assuming a larger device produces a faster SLOG.
Rank #2
- 1B Storage Capacity
- M2. 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Interface
- 1800 MB/s Sequential Read Speeds. 1800 Sequential Write Speeds. Intel QLC 3D NAND
OmniOS log-vdev layout
The OmniOS zpool manual describes adding, replacing, attaching, detaching, and importing or exporting log devices with the pool. It permits multiple log devices and mirrored log devices; RAIDZ vdev types are not supported for the intent log. These are log-vdev options, not a reason to put an unprotected Optane into the main data layout.
Using Optane as a normal pool disk
A normal pool vdev is part of the pool’s data and failure topology, not a faster form of SLOG. ZFS distributes data across top-level vdevs, and redundancy is arranged within each top-level vdev. OmniOS recommends mirrors or RAIDZ for redundancy and strongly discourages a non-redundant pool configuration. Losing a top-level vdev can mean losing the pool, so a single non-redundant Optane vdev should not be treated as a low-risk speed upgrade.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #3
- Setup Requirements: This product requires additional steps to set it up. Please ask questions if you're not familiar with this Intel Optane Drive. Optane Memory H10 with Solid State Storage
- Storage Capacity: 1TB Solid State Drive with 32 GB Buffer for enhanced performance and caching capabilities
- Drive Performance: Maximum Read Transfer Rate of 2400 MB/s for fast data access and file loading
- Write Speed: Maximum Write Transfer Rate of 1800 MB/s for efficient data storage and transfer operations
- Endurance and Interface: 300 TB Total Bytes Written (TBW) with PCI Express 3.0 x4 interface for reliable long-term performance
If the goal is a fast metadata tier, a special vdev is a separate design choice. OpenZFS documents special vdevs as persistent storage for metadata and optionally small blocks; their contents are not merely a second cache copy like L2ARC. Apply redundancy appropriate to the pool. OpenZFS also documents removal constraints, including that a special vdev cannot be removed from a RAIDZ pool under the documented conditions. Do not add a lone special vdev as a casual, reversible experiment. OpenZFS workload-tuning guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Passthrough versus an Optane-backed vdisk
The napp-it all-in-one guide describes both passing an Optane NVMe through to an ESXi storage VM and placing a small SLOG vdisk on an Optane datastore. This documents those arrangements; it does not establish that every hypervisor configuration safely preserves writes or performs equally well.
Rank #4
- Hard disk size: 256.0 GB
- Memory storage capacity: 256.0
| Presentation | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| NVMe passthrough | The storage VM is given access to the physical NVMe device, as described in the napp-it ESXi example. | Confirm the exact NVMe model, firmware, PCIe topology, and hypervisor support for the OmniOS release and hardware in use. |
| Optane-backed vdisk | The VM receives a virtual disk stored on an Optane-backed host datastore. The napp-it guide gives 10–20 GB as its setup advice, including a 20 GB 900P example. | Check guest flush propagation, virtual-disk cache settings, host-storage failure behavior, and whether the complete path provides the write persistence the workload requires. |
For an all-in-one host, host storage failure and VM configuration are part of the SLOG’s effective write path. The sources here do not establish flush or power-loss behavior for an unspecified hypervisor or machine; verify it in the documentation and settings for the exact platform. OmniOS KVM also documents attaching ZFS volume datasets created with zfs create -V as guest disks, but that does not prove its virtual-disk semantics match ESXi’s. OmniOS KVM documentation
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High-Speed Sequential Read Performance: Delivers sequential bandwidth up to 3400 MB/s for 100% read operations, ensuring fast data access and transfer speeds
- Fast Sequential Write Performance: Achieves sequential bandwidth up to 2100 MB/s for 100% write operations, enabling quick file saves and data transfers
- Durable Operating Vibration Resistance: Withstands operating vibrations up to 2.17 GRMS across 5-700 Hz frequency range for reliable performance in mobile environments
- Wide Operating Temperature Range: Functions reliably in temperatures ranging from 0C to 70C, suitable for various computing environments and conditions
- High Endurance Rating: Features 370 TBW (Terabytes Written) lifetime endurance rating, ensuring long-term reliability and durability for intensive workloads
Check compatibility and lifecycle before deployment
- Confirm the exact Optane model and firmware work with the selected OmniOS release, motherboard or controller, PCIe topology, and hypervisor. A universal compatibility guarantee is not established.
- For used hardware, assess the specific drive’s condition and history; the product name alone does not establish its remaining life or suitability.
- Optane SSDs are no longer manufactured, according to current OpenZFS documentation. Availability, condition, and seller claims therefore need to be checked for the individual listing. OpenZFS workload-tuning guidance
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
