System, method, and circuit for retrieving data in data blocks into a cache memory from a mass data storage device based on a triggering event

摘要

Upon receiving a request for one or a set of data blocks associated with a given data segment, a disk cache controller may retrieve into cache the some part of the entire data segment from a disk. Each data segment on a disk may include a fixed number of data blocks, and all data segments may include the same number of data blocks. Data segments may be dynamically defined and their locations and sizes may vary from segment to segment. Data segments may be defined when data is written to the disk, or may be defined at a later point. A table associated with a cache controller may store information as to the physical location or address on a disk of the starting point and/or size of each data segment.