Intel Optane Memory

radiowaves · 15 Dec 2017

fdegrove said:

Hi,
@radiowaves: Although I haven't actually tried it out I do not expect any problems restoring an image created by MR Free. The Optane software keeps track of what's on the Optane module and stores that on the system disk so that should work just fine.

Cheers,

Thanks fdegrove. I didn’t know that the Optane software stores the content of the Optane module on the system disk. I agree that Macrium should be able to handle the system disk part with no problem. But I’m still wondering how the contents of the Optane cache itself is restored. Does the Optane software do it after the restore completes or does the imaging software do it as part of the restore?

f14tomcat · 15 Dec 2017

radiowaves said:

Thanks fdegrove. I didn’t know that the Optane software stores the content of the Optane module on the system disk. I agree that Macrium should be able to handle the system disk part with no problem. But I’m still wondering how the contents of the Optane cache itself is restored. Does the Optane software do it after the restore completes or does the imaging software do it as part of the restore?

I don't have Optane memory, But I do use MR always. Certain system files are not backed up by MR (or any other backup software) because they are basically useless when a restore is done. Examples......pagefil.sys, hiberfil.sys, etc. They are all "caches" in a way. When the MR image is restored, it is booted up and any previous pictures of memory, or page file, etc. would mean nothing. So, I doubt the Optane cache is either backed up or restored, simply re-created by the software for the booted OS.

fdegrove · 15 Dec 2017

Hi,

So, I doubt the Optane cache is either backed up or restored, simply re-created by the software for the booted OS.

Exactly.
MR does not see the Optane module and neither does Windows. It's the Intel Optane RST software that controls what's on the module.
When you do a restore this caching software has the same status as when the image was made so it takes it from there.
If there's a delta between the two I have no clue about how it handles that but I guess it clears whatever superfluous content is on the caching module. I.e. the delta.

Cheers,

fjk61011 · 15 Dec 2017

fdegrove said:

Hi,

Just read the preparation steps Intel recommends for installing the Optane module.
They sure make it very complicated. Especially considering all compatible machines are bound to support UEFI and GPT natively.
Therefore I'd recommend skipping the creation of that recovery stuff and simply mount your Win 10 ISO and copy its contents to an empty USB stick.
Then copy the Optane drivers to it in a dedicated folder.

Of course, before you begin always take an image of your system using MR Free or similar.

BTW: The correct command sysntax is shown in Intel's pdf's command prompt's screenshot. Should you want to persue that route.

Cheers,

will the usb stick be bootable if I just copy from the mounted iSo. And how do I inject the drivers whilst installing?

fdegrove · 15 Dec 2017

Hi,

fjk61011 said:

will the usb stick be bootable if I just copy from the mounted iSo. And how do I inject the drivers whilst installing?

It will on a full UEFI system for sure. Just make sure it's FAT32 formatted though. During the setup routine you can tell Windows to install drivers it is unaware of natively. That's when you point it to your "Drivers" folder or whatever you named it on your install media and it will install them along with the rest of the OS really.
No need to integrate them into the install.wim unless you need to install hundreds of machines for sure.

Yet, even if you don't you tell the setup routine to load these drivers you can can still install Intel's software after you installed the OS as most MB and their bios will support automatic switching from AHCI to Intel's RST.

The Intel pdf makes it sound as if it's rocket science but it's really dead simple. Set the bios to cache to the Optane module, install the software onto the OS (must be W10 of course) and it will start caching the system drive.

Personnaly, I would just install the entire OS on a 32 GB module but that's just me and my "freaky" side so to speak.
The thing about these modules is that they're lightning fast on low Q depths and that's where most of the work is done.
IOW, superb performance for a relatively low price is key here.

Cheers,

radiowaves · 15 Dec 2017

f14tomcat said:

I don't have Optane memory, But I do use MR always. Certain system files are not backed up by MR (or any other backup software) because they are basically useless when a restore is done. Examples......pagefil.sys, hiberfil.sys, etc. They are all "caches" in a way. When the MR image is restored, it is booted up and any previous pictures of memory, or page file, etc. would mean nothing. So, I doubt the Optane cache is either backed up or restored, simply re-created by the software for the booted OS.

Thanks f14tomcat. Incidentally, I searched Google and could not find a reference to anyone who restored an image on a system with Intel Optane memory. I guess we will see the first posts soon enough.

f14tomcat · 15 Dec 2017

radiowaves said:

Thanks f14tomcat. Incidentally, I searched Google and could not find a reference to anyone who restored an image on a system with Intel Optane memory. I guess we will see the first posts soon enough.

All will be fine! Right, fdegrove? :)

fdegrove · 15 Dec 2017

Hi,

I searched Google and could not find a reference to anyone who restored an image on a system with Intel Optane memory. I guess we will see the first posts soon enough.

Not surprised there but I'm very sure it will work without any problem at all. At the manufacturing plant (Siemens-Nixdorf now Fujitsu) we use very similar setups for the data centers and it works just fine.
As you may know that stuff is lightyears ahead of what you find on the consumer market.

All will be fine! Right, fdegrove? :)

LOL, Of course it will @f14tomcat. It will fly.

Cheers,