Patent ID: 7096321
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of adaptively managing pages in a cache memory included within a system having a variable workload, said method comprising: arranging a cache memory included within said system into a circular buffer; maintaining a pointer that rotates around said circular buffer; maintaining a skipping parameter value; maintaining a bit for each page in said circular buffer, wherein a first bit value indicates that said page was not accessed by said system since a last time that said pointer traversed over said page, and a second bit value indicates that said page has been accessed since said last time said pointer traversed over said page; dynamically controlling a distribution of a number of pages in said cache memory that are marked with said first bit value in response to a variable workload in order to increase a hit ratio of said cache memory; and choosing pages to replace by moving said pointer around said circular buffer until a page that is marked with said first bit value is found, wherein while said pointer is moving around said circular buffer, if a page marked with said second bit value is found then remarking said page with said first bit value if since either a movement started or since a last page was marked, a determination is made that said skipping parameter value has been reached.