Abstract: A network protocol unit interface is described that uses a message engine to transfer contents of received network protocol units in message segments to a destination message engine. The network protocol unit interface uses a message engine to receive messages whose content is to be transmitted in network protocol units. A message engine transmits message segments to a destination message engine without the message engine transmitter and receiver sharing memory space. In addition, the transmitter message engine can transmit message segments to a receiver message engine by use of a virtual address associated with the receiver message and a queue identifier, as opposed to a memory address.

Abstract: An information distribution system includes an interconnect and multiple data processing nodes coupled to the interconnect. Each data processing node includes mass storage and a cache. Each data processing node also includes interface logic configured to receive signals from the interconnect and to apply the signals from the interconnect to affect the content of the cache, and to receive signals from the mass storage and to apply the signals from the mass storage to affect the content of the cache. The content of the mass storage and cache of a particular node may also be provided to other nodes of the system, via the interconnect.

Abstract: A cache memory of the present invention includes a second cache memory that is operated in parallel with a first cache memory, a judgment unit which, when a cache miss occurs in both of the first cache memory and the second cache memory, makes a true or false judgment relating to an attribute of data for which memory access resulted in the cache miss, and a controlling unit which stores memory data in the second cache memory when a judgment of true is made, and stores the memory data in the first cache memory when a judgment of false is made.

Abstract: Handling parallelism in transactions. One embodiment includes a method that includes beginning a cache resident transaction. The method further includes encountering a nested structured parallelism construct within the cache resident transaction. A determination is made as to whether the transaction would run faster serially in cache resident mode or faster parallel in software transactional memory mode for the overall transaction. In the software transactional memory mode, cache resident mode is used for one or more hierarchically lower nested transactions. The method further includes continuing the transaction in the mode determined.

Abstract: A plurality of integrated circuits in a system, each having a program memory loaded with different sections of a program, and a second memory. The integrated circuits perform the program, such that, when one of the integrated circuits requires a portion of the program, which is contained in its own program memory, it extracts it from the program memory and uses it, but when it requires a portion of the program, which is not contained in its own program memory, it reads it from the program memory of one of the other integrated circuits into its second memory and runs that portion of the program from there. In one example, the system is a line card, and the program is specific to one DSL protocol.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for detecting a failed storage device within an “n” device array. The “n” device array is configured to store “n” device array formatted data. The “n” device array is reconfigured into an “n?1” device array. The “n” device array formatted data is written to the “n?1” device array in an “n?1” device array format.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for redundant write caching. The apparatus, system, and method are provided with a plurality of modules including a write request module, a first cache write module, a second cache write module, and a trim module. The write request module detects a write request to store data on a storage device. The first cache write module writes data of the write request to a first cache. The second cache write module writes the data to a second cache. The trim module trims the data from one of the first cache and the second cache in response to an indicator that the storage device stores the data. The data remains available in the other of the first cache and the second cache to service read requests.

Abstract: A processor is provided. The processor includes at least two cores. The at least two cores have a first level cache memory and are multi-threaded. A crossbar is included. A plurality of cache bank memories in communication with the at least two cores through the crossbar is provided. Each of the plurality of cache bank memories communicates with a main memory interface. A plurality of input/output interface modules in communication with the main memory interface and providing a link to the at least two cores are included. The link bypasses the plurality of cache bank memories and the crossbar. Threading hardware configured to enable the at least two cores to switch from a first thread to a second thread in a manner hiding delays caused by cache accesses is included. A server and a method for determining when to switch threads in a multi-core multi-thread environment are included.

Abstract: A memory apparatus including: a cache control section to control a cache memory for an auxiliary storage apparatus; a volatile memory; and a nonvolatile memory, wherein the cache memory for the auxiliary storage apparatus is configured to have a volatile cache memory provided in the volatile memory and a nonvolatile cache memory provided in the nonvolatile memory, and wherein the cache control section accesses the nonvolatile cache memory using a write back method.

Abstract: A multicore processor includes a plurality of cache memories; a plurality of processor cores, each associated with one of the cache memories; one or more memory interfaces providing memory access paths from the cache memories to a main memory; and one or more input/output modules configured to couple data between an input/output interface and at least one of a memory interface and a cache memory. Each of at least some of the cache memories is assigned as a home location for caching a corresponding portion of the main memory, and is configured to maintain the cache memory based on whether a processor core or an input/output module is requesting access to the cache memory.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for acquiring a buffer after data from a remote sender (e.g., client) has been received by a local machine (e.g., server). Because the client data has already been received when the buffer is acquired, the buffer may be sized exactly to the size of the client data. In general, the buffer may be caller supplied or system supplied.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a system and a computer program product for operating a cache system. The cache system can include multiple cache lines, and a first cache line of the multiple of cache lines can include multiple cache cells, and a bus coupled to the multiple cache cells. In one or more embodiments, the bus can include a switch that is operable to receive a first control signal and to split the bus into first and second portions or aggregate the bus into a whole based on the first control signal. When the bus is split, a first cache cell and a second cache cell of the multiple cache cells are coupled to respective first and second portions of the bus. Data from the first and second cache cells can be selected through respective portions of the bus and outputted through a port of the cache system.

Abstract: A storage system is arranged to speed up the operation and easily duplicate data without the capacity of the cache memory being so large even if lots of host computers are connected with the storage system. This storage system includes channel adapters, disk drives, disk adapters, and network switches. Further, the front side cache memories connected with the channel adapters and the back side cache memories connected with the disk adapters are provided as two layered cache system. When a request for writing data is given to the storage system by the host computer, the data is written in both the front side cache memory and the back side cache memory. The write data is duplicated by placing the write data in one of the front side cache memories and one of the back side cache memories or two of the back side cache memories.

Abstract: A storage system is provided that includes storage controller logic that performs rapid data snapshots. The storage controller logic may provide block-level access to a storage volume. The storage controller logic may store all data blocks of the storage volume in a first solid state memory cache. The storage controller logic may form a snapshot of the storage volume in a second solid state memory cache. The first and second solid state memory caches are addressable with a processor. The storage system may complete the snapshot extremely quickly because the processor may copy from one memory location to another between the first and second solid state memory caches.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storing user data for use in real-time communications (e.g., IM or VoIP) are provided. The apparatus comprises at least a first cache device (e.g., a cache server) and a second cache device for storing user data, wherein the user data stored with the first cache device is mirrored with the second cache device. The apparatus further comprising a server having logic for causing access to the user data (e.g., to respond to or process messages) from the first cache device, if accessible, and from the second cache device if the user data is not accessible form the first cache device. The apparatus may further include logic for causing user data to be restored to the first cache device from the second cache device if the first cache device loses user data (e.g., if the first cache device goes down).

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for copying data from a first cluster to a second cluster to reassign storage areas from the first cluster to the second cluster. An operation is initiated to reassign storage areas from a first cluster to a second cluster, wherein the first cluster includes a first cache and a first storage unit and the second cluster includes a second cache and a second storage unit. Data in the first cache for the storage areas to reassign to the second cluster is copied to the second cache. Data in the first storage unit for storage areas remaining assigned to the first cluster is copied to the second storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for processing data (e.g., encoded audio data in an audio decoder). Various aspects of the present invention may comprise a first memory module comprising a first software module and a second software module. A signal-processing module may comprise a processor and local memory. A first data segment may be received, and the processor may identify the first software module for processing the first data segment. The first software module may be transferred to the local memory and executed by the processor to process the first data segment. A second data segment may be received, and the processor may identify the second software module for processing the second data segment. The second software module may be transferred to the local memory in memory space formerly occupied by the first software module. The processor may then utilize the second software module to process the second data segment.

Abstract: Maintaining a cache of indications of exclusively-owned coherence state for memory space units (e.g., cache line) allows reduction, if not elimination, of delay from missing store operations. In addition, the indications are maintained without corresponding data of the memory space unit, thus allowing representation of a large memory space with a relatively small missing store operation accelerator. With the missing store operation accelerator, a store operation, which misses in low-latency memory (e.g., L1 or L2 cache), proceeds as if the targeted memory space unit resides in the low-latency memory, if indicated in the missing store operation accelerator. When a store operation misses in low-latency memory and hits in the accelerator, a positive acknowledgement is transmitted to the writing processing unit allowing the store operation to proceed. An entry is allocated for the store operation, the store data is written into the allocated entry, and the target of the store operation is requested from memory.

Abstract: A system for managing data in multiple data processing devices using common data paths. Embodiments of the invention comprise a first data processing system comprising a cacheable coherent memory space; and a second data processing system communicatively coupled to the first data processing system with the second data processing system comprising at least one bridge, wherein the bridge is operable to perform an uncacheable remote access to the cacheable coherent memory space of the first data processing system. In some embodiments, the access performed by the bridge comprises a data write to the memory of the first data processing system for incorporation into the cacheable coherent memory space of the first data system. In other embodiments, the access performed by the bridge comprises a data read from the cacheable coherent memory space of the first data system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for target-side SATA NCQ tag management are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a status memory and a status manager circuit in communication with the status memory. The status memory may store status information for each of a plurality of commands that have been queued according to Native Command Queuing (NCQ). The status information may indicate whether or not each of the commands has been completed. The status manager circuit may generate and provide a status signal based on the status information stored in the status memory. Systems including such an apparatus and other components, such as hard disks, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rack mounted computer system comprises a plurality of hot replaceable servers and power supplies that are mounted in chassis and assemblies which are coupled together and in which component specific data is stored in cache memory. The cache memory preferably is implemented on a communication module contained in each chassis/assembly. Some, or all, of the rack mounted components include ROM which contains component specific data. Such data includes one or more values specific to that component. The data may include any or all of the following: serial number, part name, manufacturing information, reorder information and physical dimensions of the associated component. By storing the component specific data in cache, less traffic is necessary on the rack's inter-chassis/assembly communication link(s) the chassis/assembly communication module snoops its cache and, if the data present in cache, provides the requested data from cache to the component.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, computer programs and systems related to combining independent data caches are described. Various implementations can dynamically aggregate multiple level-one (L1) data caches from distinct processors together, change the degree of interleaving (e.g., how much consecutive data is mapped to each participating data cache before addresses go on to the next one) among the cache banks, and retain the ability to subsequently adjust the number of data caches participating as one coherent cache, i.e., the degree of interleaving, such as when the requirements of an application or process change.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for suspending a data access request during serialization reinitialization of a file server. The apparatus includes a request recognition module, an availability module, and a suspension module. The request recognition module recognizes a request to be processed by a file server. The availability module determines if the file server is available. The suspension module suspends the data access request if the file server is not available due to serialization reinitialization. In one embodiment, the suspension module implements a hardware interrupt delay loop to suspend an interruptible data access request, such as an application request. In another embodiment, the suspension module queues a non-interruptible data access request and notifies the operating system, for example, that the non-interruptible request has been initiated.

Abstract: SRAM macro sparing allows for full chip function despite the loss of one or more SRAM macros. The controls and data flow for any single macro within a protected group are made available to the spare or spares for that group. This allows a defective or failed SRAM macro to be shut off and replaced by a spare macro, dramatically increasing manufacturing yield and decreasing field replacement rates. The larger the protected group, the fewer the number of spares required for similar improvements in yield, but also the more difficult the task of making all the controls and dataflow available to the spare(s). In the case of the Level 2 Cache chip for the planned IBM Z6 computer, there are 4 protected groups with 192 SRAM macros per group. Each protected group is supplanted with an additional 2 spare SRAM macros, along with sparing controls and dataflow that allow either spare to replace any of the 192 protected SRAM macros.

Abstract: A technique for partially offloading, from a main cache in a storage server, the storage of cache tags for data blocks in a victim cache of the storage server, is described. The technique includes storing, in the main cache, a first subset of the cache tag information for each of the data blocks, and storing, in a victim cache of the storage server, a second subset of the cache tag information for each of the data blocks. This technique avoids the need to store the second subset of the cache tag information in the main cache.

Abstract: A second cache (e.g., L2 cache) is enabled or disabled based at least in part on an utilization of a first cache (e.g., L1 cache). The utilization of the first cache may be interpreted as an estimation of the likely utilization of the second cache. The utilization may be estimated by monitoring, for example, the eviction rates of the first cache or other caches, by monitoring the proportion of ways of the first cache used by an instruction stream, or by monitoring the duration between certain instructions executed by the processor, such as the duration between suspend operations.

Abstract: A data storage system and a data storing method for the data storage system are provided. The data storage system includes a host unit, a storage unit, and a first input/output bus functioning as an interface between the host unit and the storage unit. The storage unit includes a non-volatile memory buffer unit and a flash memory unit. The non-volatile memory buffer unit includes a plurality of buffers arranged in parallel. The flash memory unit includes a plurality of data storage devices arranged in parallel to input and output data using a parallel method. In the method, a writing request is first classified into one of a plurality of grades according to a writing request frequency when there is a writing request and the writing requested data is stored in one of the non-volatile memory buffer unit and the flash memory unit according to the writing request frequency.

Abstract: A single unified level one instruction cache in which some lines may contain traces and other lines in the same congruence class may contain blocks of instructions consistent with conventional cache lines. A mechanism is described for indexing into the cache, and selecting the desired line. Control is exercised over which lines are contained within the cache. Provision is made for selection between a trace line and a conventional line when both match during a tag compare step.

Abstract: A data-processing system and method are disclosed, which include a cached processor for processing data, and a plurality of memory components that communicate with the cached processor. The cached processor is separated from the memory components such that the cached processor provides support for the memory components, thereby providing a diffused memory architecture with diffused memory capabilities. The memory components can constitute, for example, memory devices such as diffused memory, matrix memory, R-Cell memory components, and the like, depending on design considerations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a directory to aid in maintaining control of a cache coherency protocol. The directory can be coupled to multiple caching agents via an interconnect, and be configured to store a entries associated with cache lines. The directory also includes logic to determine a time delay before the directory can send a concurrent snoop request. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for receiving a request from an initiating device to initiate a data transfer into a local memory for execution of one or more programs therein, the local memory being operatively coupled to a first of a plurality of parallel processors capable of operative communication with a shared memory; facilitating the data transfer into the local memory; and producing a synchronization signal indicating that the data transfer into the local memory has been completed.

Abstract: A storage control apparatus includes a plurality of temporary storage units that are managed in a redundant manner by data mirroring, and temporarily store data input from an outside source; a temporary-storage control unit that controls input and output of the data to the temporary storage units; and a mirroring control unit that controls the data mirroring between the temporary storage units, checks, when performing the data mirroring, validity of the data stored in a temporary storage unit of a mirroring source, and executes, when the validity of the data has been confirmed, the data mirroring.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing efficient memory allocation, reduced processor intervention and power consumption, and increased memory access bandwidth. One embodiment comprises a system including a plurality of memory units which are accessible in parallel, a dynamic memory unit configured to dynamically allocate and deallocate storage space in the memory units, and a plurality of direct memory access (DMA) engines configured to access the memory units in parallel through the memory management subsystem. The system may be implemented in the MAC engine of a device that communicates with other devices via a wireless communication link. This embodiment may store packets in FIFOs within the memory units as elements of linked list data structures that can be joined together without having to move the previously stored data. DMA engines access a context table to obtain DMA channel information that enables them to move data through appropriate DMA channels.

Abstract: Increasing security for a hand-held data processing device with communication functionality where such a device includes an access-ordered memory cache relating to communications carried out by the device. The hand-held data processing device has a locked state that is entered by the device receiving or initiating a trigger. On occurrence of the trigger to enter the locked state the memory cache is reordered so as to disrupt the access-ordering of the cache to obscure device traffic information and thus increase the security of the device in the locked state.

Abstract: IPv6 has been developed as an evolutionary advance of IPv4. Although IPv6 offers considerable improvement in certain areas such as addressing and routing it has eliminated the Internet header length field. As a result processing of packets to obtain the upper-layer header information in which extension headers have been added can result in slower processing rates. The present invention addresses this issue by caching information relating to the length of header option fields also known as extension headers. When a flow of IPv6 packets is received and if the packet header includes extension headers a review of the cached information can avoid processing steps and hence accelerate packet processing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for discouraging unauthorized modifications to set top boxes and gateways. Resource information is received that describing the number of disk drives and/or the capacity of each disk drive. A processor communicates with a database that stores configuration information. The processor compares the resource information to the configuration information. When the resource information differs from the configuration information, then the processor detects unauthorized modifications to the set top box.

Abstract: A proximity interconnect module includes a plurality of processors operatively connected to a plurality of off-chip cache memories by proximity communication. Due to the high bandwidth capability of proximity interconnect, enhancements to the cache protocol to improve latency may be made despite resulting increased bandwidth consumption.

Abstract: Described are techniques for selective data replication. Cached data is replicated if it is characterized as critical. Critical data may include data associated with a write I/O operation. Cache locations are selected for replicated data so that a first location is mapped to a first memory board and a second location is mapped to a second memory board. Data for a read operation is not replicated in cache. Other non-cache data that is critical and thus replicated includes metadata. Cache locations for data of read and write I/O operations are selected dynamically at the time the I/O operation is made from the same pool of cache locations.

Abstract: A dual controller storage apparatus and a cache memory mirror method thereof are described. The storage apparatus includes a imaging environment module, a storage device, a first controller, and a second controller. The first controller has a virtual disk and a first cache memory. The second controller has a second cache memory. The present invent provides a imaging environment function to select the first or the second controller to serve an extranet according to the request of the extranet. If the imaging environment function selects the second controller, the data received from the extranet is written into the second cache memory. Communication between the second controller and the first controller is established, and the data of the second controller received from the extranet into the first cache memory and the virtual disk.

Abstract: A cache read request is received at a cache comprising a plurality of data arrays, each of the data arrays comprising a plurality of ways. Cache line data from each most recently used way of each of the plurality of data arrays is selected in response to the cache read request and selecting a first data of the received cache line data from the most recently used way of the cache. An execution of an instruction is stalled if data identified by the cache read request is not present in the cache line data from the most recently used way of the cache. A second data from a most recently used way of one of the plurality of data arrays other than the most recently used data array is selected as comprising data identified by the cache read request. The second data is provided for use during the execution of the instruction.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method are provided for performing a cache lookup in an energy efficient manner. The data processing apparatus has at least one processing unit for performing operations and a cache having a plurality of cache lines for storing data values for access by that at least one processing unit when performing those operations. The at least one processing unit provides a plurality of sources from which access requests are issued to the cache, and each access request, in addition to specifying an address, further includes a source identifier indicating the source of the access request. A storage element is provided for storing for each source an indication as to whether the last access request from that source resulted in a hit in the cache, and cache line identification logic determines, for each access request, whether that access request is seeking to access the same cache line as the last access request issued by that source.

Abstract: A cache memory of the present invention includes a second cache memory that is operated in parallel with a first cache memory, a judgment unit which, when a cache miss occurs in both of the first cache memory and the second cache memory, makes a true or false judgment relating to an attribute of data for which memory access resulted in the cache miss, and a controlling unit which stores memory data in the second cache memory when a judgment of true is made, and stores the memory data in the first cache memory when a judgment of false is made.

Abstract: A cache memory logically partitions a cache array having a single access/command port into at least two slices, and uses a first cache directory to access the first cache array slice while using a second cache directory to access the second cache array slice, but accesses from the cache directories are managed using a single cache arbiter which controls the single access/command port. In the illustrative embodiment, each cache directory has its own directory arbiter to handle conflicting internal requests, and the directory arbiters communicate with the cache arbiter. An address tag associated with a load request is transmitted from the processor core with a designated bit that associates the address tag with only one of the cache array slices whose corresponding directory determines whether the address tag matches a currently valid cache entry.

Abstract: A cache controller that writes data to a cache memory, includes a first buffer unit that retains data flowing in from outside to be written to the cache memory, a second buffer unit that retains a data piece to be currently written to the cache memory, among pieces of the data retained in the first buffer unit, and a write controlling unit that controls writing of the data piece retained in the second buffer unit to the cache memory.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selecting an input/output tape volume cache (TVC). A history module maintains access history instances for a plurality of clusters. A request module receives an access request for a logical volume. An adjustment module weights the access history instances in favor of recent access history instances. A calculation module calculates an affinity of the logical volume for each cluster of the plurality of clusters. The calculation module may calculate the affinity of the logical volume for each cluster of the plurality of clusters using read/write/scratch granularity and an algorithm. Further, the calculation module may filter out clusters. A selection module selects a cluster TVC with a highest affinity as the TVC for the logical volume.

Abstract: Managing memory includes: mediating access to a first memory as a cache for a second memory; and associating one of a plurality of entry types with entries in the cache. Data from the second memory associated with a first type is not allowed to evict a cache entry associated with a second type.

Abstract: For use in a storage area network (SAN), a virtualization layer including at least one virtual engine having a respective local cache and a secondary cache layer, wherein the secondary cache layer includes the local caches coupled together, the local caches individually including a first cache layer, and at least one of a data transfer command and data corresponding to the transfer command are multicast to the secondary cache layer through an interconnection bus, the interconnection bus coupling the at least one virtual engine and at least one physical storage device.

Abstract: A method of accessing cache memory for parallel processing processors includes providing a processor and a lower level memory unit. The processor utilizes multiple instruction processing members and multiple sub-cache memories corresponding to the instruction processing members. Next step is using a first instruction processing member to access a first sub-cache memory. The first instruction processing member will access the rest sub-cache memories when the first instruction processing member does not access the desired data successfully in the first instruction processing member. The first instruction processing member will access the lower level memory unit until the desired data have been accessed, when the first instruction processing member does not access the desired data successfully in the sub-memories. Then, the instruction processing member returns a result.

Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for of designing, manufacturing, and/or testing for shared cache eviction in a multi-core processing environment having a cache shared by a plurality of processor cores is provided. The design structure includes means for receiving from a processor core a request to load a cache line in the shared cache; means for determining whether the shared cache is full; means for determining whether a cache line is stored in the shared cache that has been accessed by fewer than all the processor cores sharing the cache if the shared cache is full; and means for evicting a cache line that has been accessed by fewer than all the processor cores sharing the cache if a cache line is stored in the shared cache that has been accessed by fewer than all the processor cores sharing the cache.

Abstract: A storage control apparatus controls physical disks according to the host access using a pair of controllers, while mirroring processing is decreased when data is written to a cache memory and high-speed operation is enabled. The mirror management table is created with allocating the mirror area of the cache memory of the other controller, and acquisition of a mirror page of the cache memory of the other controller is executed referring to the mirror management table without an exchange of mirror page acquisition messages between the controllers.