Patent ID: 8205061
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method of storing a data element in a hybrid main memory that includes symmetric and asymmetric memory components, where the symmetric memory components are each configured to enable random access write operations in which an address within a block of the symmetric memory component is written without affecting the availability of other addresses within the block of the symmetric memory component, and where the asymmetric memory components are each configured to enable block write operations in which a write to an address within a block of one of the asymmetric memory components affects the availability of other addresses within the block of the asymmetric memory component, the method comprising: receiving, from an application, a command to store a data element in main memory that includes symmetric and asymmetric memory components; in response to receiving the command to store the data element in main memory, determining, using a memory controller, whether the data element resides in an asymmetric memory component of the main memory; in response to a determination that the data element resides in the asymmetric memory component of the main memory, identifying, using the memory controller, memory disruption characteristics related to storing the data element in the asymmetric memory component; based on the identified memory disruption characteristics related to storing the data element in the asymmetric memory component, determining, using the memory controller, whether to store the data element in the asymmetric memory component or a symmetric memory component; and in response to a determination to store the data element in the asymmetric memory component, storing the data element in the asymmetric memory component in satisfaction of the command received from the application.