In a FlexCache deployment, the first read from a cache volume is slower than subsequent reads. What is the primary mechanism that explains this behavior?

In a FlexCache deployment, the first read from a cache volume is slower than subsequent reads. What is the primary mechanism that explains this behavior?

• A. The first read populates data blocks into the cache from the origin.
• B. Subsequent reads are served locally without traversing the network.
• C. ONTAP compresses data only after the first read cycle.
• D. The first read triggers a SnapMirror resync operation.

Answer: (A)

FlexCache speeds up access by keeping a local copy of data blocks. When a client asks for data that isn’t in the cache yet, the system fetches those blocks from the origin and writes them into the cache. That initial fetch is a cache miss and involves network transfer and cache population, so the first read takes longer. Once the blocks are in the cache, subsequent reads are served from local cache memory/disk, making them much faster. This cache-population step is why the very first read is slower even though later reads zip along.

FlexCache speeds up access by keeping a local copy of data blocks. When a client asks for data that isn’t in the cache yet, the system fetches those blocks from the origin and writes them into the cache. That initial fetch is a cache miss and involves network transfer and cache population, so the first read takes longer. Once the blocks are in the cache, subsequent reads are served from local cache memory/disk, making them much faster. This cache-population step is why the very first read is slower even though later reads zip along.