1. An apparatus comprising: an array controller configured to read/write data to a first array of drives of a first drive type in response to one or more input/output requests; and a cache configured to (i) receive said input/output requests from said array controller, (ii) temporarily store said input/output requests, and (iii) read/write data to a second array of drives of a second drive type in response to said input/output requests, wherein said first array of drives is configured to copy said data directly to/from said second array of drives during a cache miss condition such that said array controller retrieves said data stored in the first array of drives through said second array of drives without writing said data to said cache.