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Method for providing dynamic cache management in a computer system

  • US 5,860,131 A
  • Filed: 06/17/1996
  • Issued: 01/12/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of cache memory management for use with a computer operating system that utilizes a cache management software component whereby physical memory is dynamically shared between the cache system and the operating system, the method comprising the steps of:

  • monitoring the operating system to determine the availability of free physical memory and its location;

    determining the address of a procedure in the operating system that when called, allocates a free physical memory page to linear memory;

    initializing a counter with a value representing the minimum amount of physical memory allocated to the cache management software component;

    allocating a portion of the free physical memory to the cache management software component;

    de-allocating a portion of free physical memory from the operating system;

    delineating a portion of physical memory allocated to the cache memory management software component that cannot be re-allocated to the operating system;

    detecting the need for physical memory by the operating system;

    monitoring the operating system to detect when said procedure has been or is about to be called by the operating system and there is less than a predetermined amount of free physical memory available;

    de-allocating at least a portion of the physical memory allocated to the cache management software component and re-allocating it to the operating system as the detection and monitoring steps require;

    determining the values of internal variables of the computer operating system that indicate the quantity of available free physical memory to values that reflect the memory allocation and de-allocation;

    decrementing the counter if a particular page of physical memory allocated to the cache memory management software component is to remain allocated and its data retained;

    if the counter has been decremented, detecting whether the counter value is negative, in which case the internal variables of the operating system are decremented;

    incrementing the counter if a particular page of physical memory allocated to the cache memory management software component contains data that may be discarded and the page reloaded with new data; and

    if the counter has been incremented, detecting whether the counter value is negative, in which case the internal variables of the operating system are incremented.

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