Cache with reload capability after power restoration

A method for repopulating a cache, comprising:

• removing power from the cache;
• restoring power to the cache;
• signaling a cache client that power was restored to the cache and that the cache has lost state;
• issuing a prefetch command from the cache client to the cache;
• and
• using the prefetch command by the cache to load data into the cache.

An apparatus for repopulating a cache, comprising:

• a cache configured to store data and tags relating to the data;
• a memory located separate from the cache, the memory configured to store tags from the cache when power is removed from the cache;
• and
• a memory controller configured to write tags from the cache to the memory when power is restored to the cache.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions for execution by a general purpose computer to repopulate a cache, the set of instructions comprising:

• a storing code segment for storing at least a portion of the contents of the cache in a location separate from the cache;
• a removing code segment for removing power from the cache;
• a restoring code segment for restoring power to the cache;
• and
• a repopulating code segment for repopulating the cache with the portion of the contents of the cache stored separately from the cache.