Patent ID: 9158685
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a first request at a system cache configured to store a plurality of cache lines, the system cache having an associated tag memory configured to store a plurality of tags corresponding to the plurality of cache lines, wherein each tag of the plurality of tags includes an associated state field configured to indicate at least a sticky state used in a cache replacement policy, wherein the first request includes a first cache hint field configured to support at least a do not allocate hint and a de-allocate hint; and causing a first cache line to be de-allocated from the system cache, responsive to the first request hitting the first cache line and determining a source of the first request is a same source that caused the first cache line to be allocated in the system cache; wherein said cache hint is provided by a source of the request and comprises at least one of a do not allocate and a de-allocate indication, wherein a do not allocate cache hint prevents a corresponding cache line from being allocated if the request hits in the system cache, and a de-allocate cache hint prevents a corresponding cache line from being allocated and causes a cache line to be de-allocated responsive to a hit.