Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic system may include a cache located between a mass storage and a system memory, and code stored on the electronic system to prevent storage of stream data in the cache and to send the stream data directly between the system memory and the mass storage based on a comparison of first metadata of a first request for first information and pre-boot stream information stored in a previous boot context. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic system may include a cache located between a mass storage and a system memory, and code stored on the electronic system to prevent storage of stream data in the cache and to send the stream data directly between the system memory and the mass storage based on a comparison of first metadata of a first request for first information and pre-boot stream information stored in a previous boot context. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for maintaining a sequence of writes into a disk cache, where the writes correspond to disk write requests stored in the disk cache, and ordering cache writes from the disk cache to a disk drive according to the sequence of writes. In this way, write ordering from an operating system to a disk subsystem is maintained. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A volatile or nonvolatile cache memory can cache mass storage device read data and write data. The cache memory may become inaccessible, and I/O operations may go directly to the mass storage device, bypassing the cache memory. A log of write operations may be maintained to update the cache memory when it becomes available.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the time for system initializations is disclosed. For at least one embodiment, data accessed during a system initialization is loaded into a non-volatile cache during shutdown or entry into a low-power mode. On a subsequent boot, or resumption after a low power mode, the data required for system initialization has already been pre-loaded into the cache, thereby eliminating the need to access a disk. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A technique includes performing a plurality of write operations to store data in different physical memory locations. Each of the physical memory locations are associated with a logical address that is shared in common among the physical addresses. The technique includes storing sequence information in the physical memory locations to indicate which one of the write operations occurred last.

Abstract: A method, device, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises setting a threshold length for data allowed in a cache, inserting data into the cache during a read or a write request if the length of the data requested is less than the threshold length, and not inserting data into the cache during a read or write request if the length of the data requested is greater than or equal to the threshold length.

Abstract: Processor-based systems may include a disk cache to increase system performance in a system that includes a processor and a disk drive. The disk cache may include physical cache lines and virtual cache lines to improve cache insertion and eviction policies. The virtual cache lines may also be useful when recovering from failed requests.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method may include determining whether requested information is part of a streaming access, and directly writing the requested information from a storage device to a memory if the requested information is part of the streaming access. Alternately, if the requested information is not part of the streaming access, it may be written from the storage device to a cache. In various embodiments, the cache may be a non-volatile disk cache.

Abstract: Cache write back requests may be coalesced to reduce disk accesses and improve overall system performance in some embodiments of the present invention. Contiguous and non-contiguous data from more than one cache line may be coalesced into a single write back request and written back in one atomic write to the disk drive. This data may also be flushed from the disk cache in one request.

Abstract: A method and system to adjust a non-volatile cache associativity are described. In one embodiment, the method and system include determining a status of the system; and setting an associativity level of the non-volatile memory cache (NVC) of the system, based on that status of the system. In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory unit is a cache of the hard disk. Furthermore, in one embodiment, determining the status of the system includes determining whether the system is a mobile computer, and if so, determining whether the system is receiving power from a battery source or AC power from a wall outlet.

Abstract: Processor-based systems may use more than one operating system and may have disk drives which are cached. Systems which include a write-back cache and a disk drive may develop incoherent data when operating systems are changed or when disk drives are removed. Scrambling a partition table on a disk drive and storing cache identification information may improve data coherency in a processor-based system.

Abstract: Processor-based systems may include a disk cache to increase system performance in a system that includes a processor and a disk drive. The disk cache may include physical cache lines and virtual cache lines to improve cache insertion and eviction policies. The virtual cache lines may also be useful when recovering from failed requests.