Locally buffered cache extensions having associated control parameters to determine use for cache allocation on subsequent requests

摘要

A method and apparatus for cache management in a data storage system is presented. A table with tags corresponding to cache slots in a cache memory is provided. A copy of the table is stored in a local buffer in response to a request for allocation of one of the cache slots. The locally buffered table is used to make the requested cache slot allocation. A set of control parameters associated with the locally buffered table is used to determine if the locally buffered table can be re-used for cache slot allocation in response to a subsequent request for cache slot allocation. User-selectable levels are provided to control the degree of locally buffered table re-use. The user-selectable levels determine which values of the control parameters are used.