Abstract: A method of memory management in a computer system comprising memory. The method includes the steps of: in response to requests for allocation of memory blocks that remain allocated for different durations, allocating each memory block from one of a plurality of regions in the memory based on the duration that the memory block is to remain allocated; and maintaining a plurality of memory segments of one or more sizes in the memory, and in response to a request for allocation of a memory block if the requested block size is less than a predetermined size, then allocating the requested block from among said segments, otherwise allocating the requested block from another portion of the memory. The number of data segments are changed in relation to memory requests. Further at least a portion of the memory is allocated to a cache having one or more buffers. The cache buffers can be allocated for non-cache use, including increase the number of said data segments, and are then deallocated back to the cache.