Abstract: Methods for accessing, storing and replacing data in a cache memory are provided, wherein a plurality of index bits and a plurality of tag bits at the cache memory are received. The plurality of index bits are processed to determine whether a matching index exists in the cache memory and the plurality of tag bits are processed to determine whether a matching tag exists in the cache memory, and a data line is retrieved from the cache memory if both a matching tag and a matching index exist in the cache memory. A random line in the cache memory can be replaced with a data line from a main memory, or evicted without replacement, based on the combination of index and tag misses, security contexts and protection bits. User-defined and/or vendor-defined replacement procedures can be utilized to replace data lines in the cache memory.

Abstract: A cache memory having enhanced performance and security feature is provided. The cache memory includes a data array storing a plurality of data elements, a tag array storing a plurality of tags corresponding to the plurality of data elements, and an address decoder which permits dynamic memory-to-cache mapping to provide enhanced security of the data elements, as well as enhanced performance. The address decoder receives a context identifier and a plurality of index bits of an address passed to the cache memory, and determines whether a matching value in a line number register exists. The line number registers allow for dynamic memory-to-cache mapping, and their contents can be modified as desired. Methods for accessing and replacing data in a cache memory are also provided, wherein a plurality of index bits and a plurality of tag bits at the cache memory are received.

Abstract: A cache memory having enhanced performance and security feature is provided. The cache memory includes a data array storing a plurality of data elements, a tag array storing a plurality of tags corresponding to the plurality of data elements, and an address decoder which permits dynamic memory-to-cache mapping to provide enhanced security of the data elements, as well as enhanced performance. The address decoder receives a context identifier and a plurality of index bits of an address passed to the cache memory, and determines whether a matching value in a line number register exists. The line number registers allow for dynamic memory-to-cache mapping, and their contents can be modified as desired. Methods for accessing and replacing data in a cache memory are also provided, wherein a plurality of index bits and a plurality of tag bits at the cache memory are received.

Abstract: A firmware upgrading method for an interface card is disclosed. A common interface page under a SES format is established by modifying a microcode control page thereof. More particularly, the claimed method is to upgrade the firmware of an interface driving card of a disk storage system. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a step of establishing a common interface page under SES format at first. Next, the step goes to interpret the control page. Next, the information in the control page is extracted. Thereby, the driving card is identified by the extracted information, and further the firmware information is extracted. After that, a processor performs to upgrade the firmware.