Patent ID: 6633891
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for managing replacement of data stored in buffers of a plurality of caches that each reside on a node of a set of one or more nodes, wherein each node of said set of one or more nodes includes one or more caches of said plurality of caches, wherein the plurality of caches includes a first cache, the method comprising the steps of:from a plurality of buffers available for replacement in the first cache, selecting for replacement a first buffer from said first cache based on one or more factors, wherein said first buffer is currently used to store a first data item, wherein said one or more factors include either: the state of at least one other cache of said plurality of caches, or the configuration of said at least one other cache of said plurality of caches; replacing said first data item stored in said first buffer with a second data item; transferring said first data item to another particular cache of said plurality of caches; in response to transferring said first data item to the particular cache, generating data that indicates that said first buffer contains data that may be removed from said first cache; and wherein said one or more factors include that said data indicates that said first buffer contains data that may be replaced.