Cache memory consistency control with explicit software instructions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer system having a multi-level memory hierarchy and means for maintaining the integrity of blocks of information stored at different levels in the hierarchy, comprising:
- a processor for executing instructions and processing data, said processor executing a set of instructions for providing explicit control of the transfer of blocks of data between levels of the memory hierarchy;
memory for storing instructions and data;
an I/O channel connected to the memory for transferring data and instructions into and out of the memory;
a cache connected between the processor and the memory for storing selected blocks of information from the memory for use by the processor, and having associated with each stored block a valid status flag and a dirty status flag; and
an operating system resident in memory and accessible by the processor, containing the instructions in the instruction set, for causing the execution of certain of the instructions from the instruction set to ensure the consistency of the information stored in the cache with the information transferred into and out of memory.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Memory integrity is maintained in a system with a hierarchical memory using a set of explicit cache control instructions. The caches in the system have two status flags, a valid bit and a dirty bit, with each block of information stored. The operating system executes selected cache control instructions to ensure memory integrity whenever there is a possibility that integrity could be compromised.
-
Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A computer system having a multi-level memory hierarchy and means for maintaining the integrity of blocks of information stored at different levels in the hierarchy, comprising:
-
a processor for executing instructions and processing data, said processor executing a set of instructions for providing explicit control of the transfer of blocks of data between levels of the memory hierarchy; memory for storing instructions and data; an I/O channel connected to the memory for transferring data and instructions into and out of the memory; a cache connected between the processor and the memory for storing selected blocks of information from the memory for use by the processor, and having associated with each stored block a valid status flag and a dirty status flag; and an operating system resident in memory and accessible by the processor, containing the instructions in the instruction set, for causing the execution of certain of the instructions from the instruction set to ensure the consistency of the information stored in the cache with the information transferred into and out of memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification