ZFS ARC Cache Explained
ZFS uses RAM as a powerful cache called the ARC (Adaptive Replacement Cache) to speed up disk reads and metadata operations.
It looks like ZFS “eats” RAM — but it’s actually putting your memory to work, caching data for blazing-fast access.
Important: ARC is not a memory leak!
It dynamically adjusts — if apps need RAM, ARC frees it instantly.
You can set a limit with zfs_arc_max so ZFS won’t take all your memory.
Properly tuned, ARC boosts performance without starving your system.
So don’t fear the RAM usage—embrace the cache!