Patent ID: 6898672
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of storing data in a cache memory of a storage device, comprising: apportioning the cache memory into slots, each having a particular slot number; providing a first segment of the cache memory having mapped thereto each of a first plurality of external host systems coupled to the storage device, said first segment including all of said slots having a first set of slot numbers; providing a second segment of the cache memory having mapped thereto each of a second plurality of external host systems coupled to the storage device, said second segment including all of said slots having a second set of slot numbers different from said first set of slot numbers, said second plurality of external host systems being different from said first plurality, wherein at least a portion of the second segment of the cache memory is not part of the first segment of the cache memory; removing a block of cache memory from one of said first and said second segments; and returning the block to an assigned segment wherein said assigned segment is one of: the other of said first and said second segments, a same segment from which said block was removed, and a randomly assigned segment.