System and method of improving host performance characteristics by intelligent shift of data caching from host to cache-enabled mass storage subsystem

摘要

An arrangement is disclosed for use in connection with a host computer connected to a mass storage subsystem, the mass storage subsystem storing information for use in connection with processing of at least one program by the host computer. The arrangement comprises a program input/output interface, a mass storage subsystem interface and a file system control. The program input/output interface is configured to receive program input/output read and write requests from a program, each program input/output read and write request initiating an input/output operation in connection with information stored on a mass storage subsystem. The mass storage subsystem interface is configured to facilitate communications with the mass storage subsystem, including transferring a storage subsystem input/output read and write request thereto and receiving information therefrom. The file system control is configured to, in response to a program input/output read or write request received by the program input/output interface, generate a storage subsystem input/output read or write request for transmission by the mass storage subsystem interface to the mass storage subsystem and to transfer information to be transferred during the input/output operation between the program input/output interface and the mass storage subsystem interface, and to selectively cache the information in a file system cache maintained by the host computer.