US 6,003,115 A · Method and apparatus for predictive loading of a cache

Abstract

An improved method for loading a cache is described. The present invention monitors memory access to identify specific types of memory access, for example, requests to launch executable program code stored in a hard disk drive. The method maps the stored program code into a plurality of memory blocks. The memory block access during the launching of the executable program code is then profiled. When the computer remains idle for a predetermined time the profiling process is stopped. Alternatively, if the computer does not remain idle, for the predetermined time, the profiling process is stopped after a timeout period. The profile is then evaluated to identify the most frequently accessed memory blocks. A list of the most frequently accessed memory blocks is stored. The number of memory blocks stored in the list depends upon the size of the cache. The file access system is monitored to identify the next time that a profiled memory access process is initiated. When a profiled process is initiated, the list of the most frequently accessed memory blocks for that process is retrieved. These memory blocks are then pre-loaded into the software disk cache. Pre-loading the memory blocks into the disk cache avoids the long access times required to load pages from persistent storage devices, and thus significantly increases the execution speed of the application program. The present invention predictive cache system can reduce the time required to load executable programs from a hard disk by 40%.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for loading a cache in a computer system comprising the steps of:

monitoring memory access to identify at least one type of memory access process;
mapping a first region of memory, defined by a first memory access process of said at least one type of memory access process, into a plurality of memory blocks;
profiling memory block access during said first memory access process;
identifying memory blocks accessed most frequently during said first memory access process;
storing a list of said most frequently accessed memory blocks;
monitoring said computer system to identify when said first memory access process is initiated;
pre-loading said cache, at an initiation of said first memory access process, with said memory blocks identified in said list.

4 more elements

An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for loading a cache in a computer system, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to monitor memory access to identify at least one type of memory access process;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to map a first region of memory, defined by a first memory access process of said at least one type of memory access process, into a plurality of memory blocks;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to profile memory block access during said first memory access process;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify memory blocks accessed most frequently during said first memory access process;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to store a list of said most frequently accessed memory blocks;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to monitor said computer system to identify when said first memory access process is initiated;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to pre-load said cache, at an initiation of said first memory access process, with said memory blocks identified in said list.

5 more elements

An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for loading a cache in a computer system, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising:
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to monitor memory access to identify at least one type of memory access processes that comprise executable program code loading processes;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to map a first region of memory, defined by a first memory access process of said at least one type of memory access process, into a plurality of memory blocks;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to profile memory block access during said first memory access process;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify memory blocks accessed most frequently during said first memory access process;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to store a list of said most frequently accessed memory blocks;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to monitor said computer system to identify when said first memory access process is initiated;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to pre-load said cache, at an initiation of said first memory access process, with said memory blocks identified in said list;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to stop profiling said first memory access process when said first memory access process remains idle for a predetermined time;
computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to stop profiling said first memory access process when a timeout period expires if said first memory access process does not remain idle for a predetermined time, wherein said timeout period is calculated based on said first memory access process.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for predictive loading of a cache

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for predictive loading of a cache

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29