A compute server accomplishes physical address to virtual address translation to optimize physical storage capacity via thin provisioning techniques. The thin provisioning techniques can minimize disk seeks during command functions by utilizing a translation table and free list stored to both one or more physical storage devices as well as to a cache. The cached translation table and free list can be updated directly in response to disk write procedures. A read-only copy of the cached translation table and free list can be created and stored to physical storage device for use in building the cached translation table and free list upon a boot of the compute server. The copy may also be used to repair the cached translation table in the event of a power failure or other event affecting the cache.
