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I have a QNAP running QTS v5.2.3. I just installed M.2 SSD drives to enable cache acceleration on a single volume in my storage pool, "Data". The cache acceleration is configured as read-only. The "Data" volume is configured to be encrypted. There was no setting to enable encryption when setting up the cache acceleration, nor any indication that the data will be encrypted on the M.2 SSD.

Is the data on the M.2 SSD going to also be encrypted?

Can anyone reference QNAP documentation that indicates if the cache acceleration drives either ARE or ARE NOT encrypted?

user3159132
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1 Answers1

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All documentation and responses point to "yes", the data remains encrypted in the SSD cache.

https://www.qnap.com/en/how-to/faq/article/what-happens-inside-the-ssd-cache-of-an-encrypted-volume

Response from QNAP Support:

In QNAP NAS, the cache memory is not encrypted

SSD Cache, used to speed up data access, is not encrypted, as its primary function is performance enhancement rather than long-term data storage. If the primary storage is encrypted, the data written to the cache will also be indirectly protected.

QNAP does not provide a specific option to encrypt the SSD cache. If NAS volumes are encrypted, the cache data will originate from a protected source.

Grok says:

Check System Settings > Storage & Snapshots > Encryption; if the volume’s locked without your input, cache included, you’re solid. QNAP’s docs confirm SSD cache inherits the volume’s encryption since 5.0+.

I'll update if I ever have time to pull the SSD out and read it to confirm. I suppose that would be the real test!

user3159132
  • 131