Method and apparatus for managing context switches using a context switch history table

摘要

A method, apparatus and computer instructions for storing data relating to the switch in a context switch history containing a number of prior context switches occurring prior to a current context. The storing of data occurs in response to a change in context for a direct memory access resource. Portions of the direct memory access chain of requests are freed using the context switch history to form freed portions, wherein the freed portions are reused for requests.