Using idle caches as a backing store for boot code
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsBernard C. Drerup, Guy L. Guthrie, Joseph John McGill, IV, Alexander Michael Taft, Derek E. Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure may include a processor that uses idle caches as a backing store for a boot code. The processor designates a boot core and an active cache from a plurality of cores and a plurality of caches. The processor configures remaining caches from the plurality of caches to act as a backing store memory. The processor modifies the active cache to convert cast outs to a system memory into lateral cast outs to the backing store memory. The processor copies a boot image to the backing store memory and executes the boot image by the boot core.
Claims20
A method for using idle caches as a backing store for a boot code, the method comprising:
- designating a boot core and an active cache from a plurality of cores and a plurality of caches;
- configuring remaining caches from the plurality of caches to act as a backing store memory, wherein the remaining caches are those neither designated as the boot core nor the active cache;
- modifying the active cache to convert cast outs to a system memory into lateral cast outs to the backing store memory;
- copying a boot image to the backing store memory;
- and
- executing the boot image by the boot core.
A computer system for using idle caches as a backing store for a boot code, the computer system comprising:
- one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, wherein the computer system is capable of performing a method comprising:
- designating a boot core and an active cache from a plurality of cores and a plurality of caches;
- configuring remaining caches from the plurality of caches to act as a backing store memory, wherein the remaining caches are those neither designated as the boot core nor the active cache;
- modifying the active cache to convert cast outs to a system memory into lateral cast outs to the backing store memory;
- copying a boot image to the backing store memory;
- and
- executing the boot image by the boot core.
A computer program product for using idle caches as a backing store for a boot code, the computer program product comprising:
- one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor, the program instructions comprising:
- program instructions to designate a boot core and an active cache from a plurality of cores and a plurality of caches;
- program instructions to configure remaining caches from the plurality of caches to act as a backing store memory, wherein the remaining caches are those neither designated as the boot core nor the active cache;
- program instructions to modify the active cache to convert cast outs to a system memory into lateral cast outs to the backing store memory;
- program instructions to copy a boot image to the backing store memory;
- and
- program instructions to execute the boot image by the boot core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.