Q. Is fragmentation a problem for Solid State Drives? Why?

A. Yes, though not the fragmentation most people might think of. There are two types of fragmentation, file fragmentation and free space fragmentation. Both types of fragmentation are problems for both SSDs and HDDs. However on an HDD, file fragmentation, which slows file read times, is typically more problematic than free space fragmentation. On an SSD, free space fragmentation, which slows file write time, is commonly the greater issue.

Q. How does SDD⁺Optimizer^TM improve performance?

A. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM solves the problem of optimizing the Windows file systems used on SSDs. A file system that has “holes” in it will cause new files to be written to the SSD drive in many smaller pieces as opposed to one large contiguous piece. This causes lots of small writes on the SSD, which are far slower, per megabyte written, than a few large writes. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM solves this by automatically consolidating the holes in the file system, resulting in faster write performance for the SSD. Badly fragmented files can also incur Read I/O penalties on the SSD. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM will detect very bad file fragmentation at the file system level and automatically correct this as needed.

Q. Does optimization of an SSD decrease the overall erase count?

A. Yes. While optimization does marginally increase the erase activity at the time of the operation, the minimal amount of erase activity from occasional optimization routines will dramatically reduce the overall erase count requirements of regular day to day use of the SSD for the life of the drive. In other words, a small amount of proactive erase write activity, intelligently done as needed, will prevent a great amount of erase write activity for normal drive use. By reducing the overall erase count, SDD⁺Optimizer^TM maximizes the life of the drive.

Q. Does SDD⁺Optimizer^TM increase the longevity of the SSD?

A. Yes. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM’s optimization for new file writes means that those new writes occur with less erase activity. This increases the lifespan of the SSD. (Please see “Does optimization of an SSD decrease the overall erase count” for more information.)

Q. How is it that the SSD+ Optimizer is able to run with no performance overhead to the user?

A. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM is able to work invisibly in the background by using special technology called InvisiTaskingR. InvisiTasking is the revolutionary breakthrough in the scheduling of computer resources that achieves what had been considered impossible: zero system overhead for applications such as SDD⁺Optimizer^TM (and Diskeeper).

Q. How can I detect if SDD⁺Optimizer^TM is operating?

A. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM runs as a Windows Service. It starts with the boot of the system and will then operate transparently in the background using InvisiTasking technology. You can view Windows Services or use Task Manager to view the process. The product is fully automatic and will determine when and what is appropriate to improve SSD performance and reliability without ever impacting users or computer resources.

Q. What configuration options are there for SDD⁺Optimizer^TM?

A. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM has two modes of operation. The primary mode is the fully Automatic Mode. The automated mode is the invisible background operation that intelligently balances SSD performance and SSD write activity to offer end users of the drive both peak performance AND a longer device lifespan.

The second is a Manual “Full” mode which is really only designed for initial use by a system builder so that they can deliver a fully optimized SSD to their customer. This mode can be run by selecting “SDD Optimizer {drive letter} FULL” at a command prompt. To run full mode on the C:\ drive would look like this:

C:\SDD Optimizer C Full

Full Mode incurs a higher erase count as it may move a large number of files and free spaces to provide an ideal starting environment. There is no need to ever run this mode more than one time, given that SDD⁺Optimizer^TM is set to automatically maintain the SSD afterwards.

Q. Would SDD⁺Optimizer^TM cause data corruption? Why?

A. NO. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM is a user mode program that relies on Microsoft documented and supported APIs in Windows moving pieces of files from one part of the disk to another. These APIs are provided by Microsoft and are an integral part of the File System. As such, they are really no different than APIs that allow a database to read, write and update files on a disk without the fear of data corruption.

Q. If power goes off while SDD⁺Optimizer^TM is in service, would it cause data corruption?

A. NO. The file system maintains the integrity of the data. Many normal file operations, such as extending a file, face the same issues when it comes to the updating the necessary file system metadata. Microsoft is more than aware of the responsibility of their file system to guarantee data consistency and durability. SDD⁺Optimizer^TM depends on the same types of documented and supported file system APIs to move the data as any other application does to manipulate data on the disk. Even the simplest data reading and writing applications, such as Notepad, rely on the file system, in the manner similar to SDD⁺Optimizer^TM, to ensure that the data can be correctly retrieved later.