Method and apparatus for controlling the contents of a cache memory
First Claim
1. In a cache for a computer system, the cache storing data elements in cache, the data elements including an indication of when each data element was placed into the cache, a computer implemented process for controlling the contents of the cache, comprising the steps of:
- (A) determining those data elements that have not been written to at least one storage device;
(B) determining the time between when a first data element was placed into the cache and when a second data element was placed into the cache; and
if the amount of time determined in step (B) is less than a pre-established value, and after retrieving additional data elements from the at least one storage device and storing the retrieved data elements in the cache, replacing at least one data element in the cache.
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Abstract
A cache management system and method monitors and controls the contents of cache memory coupled to at least one longer term data storage device. Cache memory is organized into at least first and second sections, the first section for storing data waiting to be written to a longer term data storage device and the second section for storing data elements which have been written to the longer term data storage device. The cache management system and method monitors data elements awaiting writing to the longer term data storage device. Once the elements have been actually written to the longer term data storage device, the cache management system and method utilizes an indication of the amount of time the data element was in cache as well as an indication of the number of times the data element was accessed, in order to determine how long to maintain the data record in the short term cache
65 Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a cache for a computer system, the cache storing data elements in cache, the data elements including an indication of when each data element was placed into the cache, a computer implemented process for controlling the contents of the cache, comprising the steps of:
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(A) determining those data elements that have not been written to at least one storage device; (B) determining the time between when a first data element was placed into the cache and when a second data element was placed into the cache; and if the amount of time determined in step (B) is less than a pre-established value, and after retrieving additional data elements from the at least one storage device and storing the retrieved data elements in the cache, replacing at least one data element in the cache. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a cache for a computer system, the cache storing data elements, the data elements including an indication of when each data element was placed into the cache, an apparatus for controlling the contents of the cache comprising:
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means for determining those data elements that have not been written to at least one storage device; means for determining the time between when a first data element was placed into the cache and when a second data element was placed into the cache; and means for replacing at least one data element in the cache if the amount of time between when the first data element was placed into the cache and when the second data element was placed into the cache is less than a pre-established value, and after retrieving additional data elements from the at least one storage device and storing the retrieved data elements in the cache. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification