Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Lieberman & Brandsdorfer
  • Patent number: 6615316
    Abstract: A method and computer system for estimating cache warmth for thread schedulers in a processor of a multiprocessor system. A mathematical model based upon a Markov Model of queuing theory is used to determine flow probability. The method incorporates data received from cache counters to measure cache hits, cache misses, cache invalidations and cache roll-outs. Based upon the Model and the data received from the counters and the assumption that cache decays exponentially, a nominal lifetime of a cache line is computed and the state of the system is manipulated in accordance with the computed lifetime of the cache line. The method may be applied to either a two way LRU cache or a four way LRU cache for computing an average lifetime of a cache line. Accordingly, cache affinity and thread migration decisions are enhanced thereby providing an efficient method of operating a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines, Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. McKenney, Phillip E. Krueger