Multi-tiered global cache

A method for implementing a cache system for a computer cluster comprising a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

• establishing a global cache by configuring a subset of nodes within the computer cluster to each contribute a portion of local storage resource to the global cache;
• and
• configuring a cache-manager process running on a respective node within the subset to:
• receive a request for a piece of data;
• determine whether the requested data is present in the global cache;
• responsive to locating the requested data in the portion of local storage resource contributed to the global cache by a contributing node, retrieve the requested data by accessing the local storage resource of the contributing node;
• and
• respond to the request using the retrieved data.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform a method for implementing a cache system for a computer cluster comprising a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

• establishing a global cache by configuring a subset of nodes within the computer cluster to each contribute a memory portion to the global cache;
• and
• configuring a cache-manager process running on a respective node within the subset of node to:
• receive a request for a piece of data;
• determine whether the requested data is present in the global cache;
• responsive to locating the requested data in the portion of local storage resource contributed to the global cache by a contributing node, retrieve the requested data by accessing the local storage resource of the contributing node to;
• and
• respond to the request using the retrieved data.