Cache optimization of a data storage device based on progress of boot commands

A mass storage device comprising:

• a non-volatile data storage medium comprising boot code for boot up of a host device;
• a cache configured for a boot mode and an operational mode;
• a command queue;
• an interface configured for communications with the host device;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• power up the mass storage device;
• set the cache to the boot mode;
• receive data storage access commands from the host device over the interface;
• buffer the data storage access commands in the command queue;
• determine that a depth of the command queue has increased to a value greater than one;
• determine a transition from a boot sequence to normal operations by the host based at least in part on the increase of the command queue depth;
• and
• set the cache to the operational mode based on the transition.

A method of booting up a host coupled to a mass storage device, wherein the mass storage device comprises a cache that is configurable in an operational mode and a boot mode, said method comprising:

• by a host coupled to a mass storage device:
• sending a request to the mass storage device for powering up the mass storage device;
• receiving boot code from the mass storage device;
• setting a cache of the mass storage device to a boot mode;
• providing data storage access commands to the mass storage device;
• and
• upon transition from a boot process to normal operations by the host, receiving data from the mass storage device associated with an operational mode of the cache of the mass storage device;
• wherein the mass storage device is configured to buffer the data storage access commands in a command queue and determine the transition based at least in part on an increase of a depth of the command queue to a value greater than one.

A mass storage device comprising:

• a non-volatile data storage medium comprising boot code for boot up of a host device;
• a cache configured for a boot mode and an operational mode;
• an interface configured for communications with the host device;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• detect power-up of the host device;
• provide the boot code to the host device over the interface in response to said detecting the power-up;
• set the cache to the boot mode;
• receive data storage access commands from the host device;
• monitor a command queue configured to buffer the data storage access commands from the host;
• determine that a depth of the command queue has increased to a value greater than one;
• determine that the host device has transitioned from a boot process to normal operations based at least in part on the increase of the command queue depth;
• and
• set the cache of the mass storage device to the operational mode based on the transition of the host device to normal operations.