Method and apparatus for synchronizing caches in a distributed computing system
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorMax K. Goff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for synchronizing a cache in a computer system through a peer-to-peer refreshing operation. During operation, the system determines the age of an entry in the cache. If the age of the entry exceeds a life span for the entry, the system invalidates the entry in the cache. The system subsequently refreshes the entry by retrieving an updated version of the entry from a peer of the computer system, if possible, instead of from a centralized source for the entry.
Claims27
A method for synchronizing an entry in a cache in a computer system through a peer-to-peer refreshing operation, comprising:
- determining the age of the entry in the cache within the computer system;
- and
- if the age of the entry exceeds a life span for the entry,
- invalidating the entry in the cache, and
- refreshing the entry by retrieving an updated version of the entry from a peer of the computer system, if possible, instead of from a centralized source for the entry.
A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer system cause the computer system to perform a method for synchronizing an entry in a cache in the computer system through a peer-to-peer refreshing operation, the method comprising:
- determining the age of the entry in the cache within the computer system;
- and
- if the age of the entry exceeds a life span for the entry,
- invalidating the entry in the cache, and
- refreshing the entry by retrieving an updated version of the entry from a peer of the computer system, if possible, instead of from a centralized source for the entry.
An apparatus that synchronizes an entry in a cache in a computer system through a peer-to-peer refreshing operation, comprising:
- an age determining mechanism that is configured to determine the age of the entry in the cache within the computer system;
- and
- a refreshing mechanism, wherein if the age of the entry exceeds a life span for the entry, the refreshing mechanism is configured to,
- invalidate the entry in the cache, and to
- refresh the entry by retrieving an updated version of the entry from a peer of the computer system, if possible, instead of from a centralized source for the entry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.