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  3. Azure HPC Cache

Azure HPC Cache

File caching for high-performance computing (HPC)

Run flexible, file-based workloads in Azure

Keep important work moving. Azure HPC Cache lets you transfer excess compute capacity to Azure while leaving large datasets in your network-attached storage (NAS) or in Azure Blob storage for a cloud NAS solution.

High performance with up to 8 GB/s throughput, reducing latency for cacheable workloads

Scalable to meet changing compute demand

Aggregated namespace bringing together multiple file sources

Easy management through the Azure portal

Increase productivity with low latency

Enable quicker file access by scaling your cache based on workload – improving application performance regardless of storage capacity. Provide low-latency hybrid storage support for both on-premises NAS and Azure Blob storage.

Support existing HPC workloads in Azure

Flexibly store data via traditional, on-premises NAS storage and Azure Blob storage. Azure HPC Cache supports hybrid architectures including NFSv3 via Azure NetApp Files, Dell EMC Isilon, Azure Blob storage and other NAS products.

Simplify storage resource management

Azure HPC Cache provides an aggregated namespace, so you can present hot data needed by applications in a singular directory structure and reduce client complexity.

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‘Pay as you go’ pricing

  • Use HPC Cache quickly and easily, with no infrastructure to set up. Get the flexibility to optimise performance and scale your usage on demand.
See Azure HPC Cache pricing

Get started using Azure HPC Cache

Gain instant access and a $200 credit by creating an Azure free account.

Launch HPC Cache.

Watch a short video and read the documentation to get up and running quickly.

Developer resources

Documentation

Learn how Azure HPC Cache works and how best to use it in your workloads. See the documentation

Quick-start video

Learn how to set up HPC Cache, step by step. Watch now

Resources to optimise HPC Cache

Explore additional features and products, like networking, NFS storage services, and orchestration.

Frequently asked questions about Azure HPC Cache

  • Azure HPC Cache supports NFSv3.
  • HPC Cache works wherever workloads demand heavy reads for computing. Scenarios include financial simulations and genomics sequencing. Learn more about high-performance computing.
  • While similar, these products differ in two key ways. Firstly, HPC Cache offers greater user manageability, with access via the Azure portal. Secondly, unlike Avere vFXT for Azure, HPC Cache no longer requires deployment or a quota for virtual machines. However, Avere vFXT for Azure might be the right solution for some custom scenarios.
  • Before using your cache, you’ll need to set up a dedicated subnet for the HPC Cache instance. You’ll also need DNS support so that the cache can access storage and other resources. Learn more about the requirements in the service documentation.
  • You can use HPC Cache with Azure Blob Storage, Azure NetApp Files or NFS on-premises storage targets by NetApp or Dell EMC Isilon.
  • HPC Cache works best with compute farms of up to 75000 CPU cores. These workloads tend to be read-heavy and require file access to data in NFS-accessible storage or Azure Blob Storage.

Free account

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Azure HPC Cache

Create your own Azure HPC Cache

Getting started