Method and apparatus for using a storage system as main memory

A method of operating a data access system, wherein the data access system comprises a processor having processor cache, a storage drive, a first final level cache (FLC) module which includes a first FLC controller and a first DRAM and a second FLC module which includes a second FLC controller and a second DRAM, the method comprising:

• generating, with the processor, a request for data which includes a physical address;
• providing the request for data to the first FLC module;
• determining if the first FLC controller contains the physical address;
• responsive to the first FLC controller containing the physical address, retrieving the data from the first DRAM and providing the data to the processor;
• responsive to the first FLC controller not containing the physical address, forwarding the request for data and the physical address to the second FLC module;
• determining if the second FLC controller contains the physical address;
• and
• responsive to the second FLC controller containing the physical address, retrieving a cache line containing the data from the second DRAM and providing the cache line to the first FLC module.

A data storage and access system for use with a processor comprising:

• a processor, having processor cache, the processor configured to generate a first data request for first data and a second data request for second data;
• a first final level cache (FLC) cache system, communicating with the processor, configured to function as main memory cache and receive the first data request for the first data;
• a second FLC cache system, communicating with the processor, configured to function as main memory cache and receive the second data request for the second data;
• a storage drive configured with a main memory partition such that the main memory partition of the storage drive functions as main memory.