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Patent Title: Methods for caching cache tags

Assignee: IBM
Patent Number: US6311253
Issue Date: 10-30-2001
Application Number:
File Date:06-21-1999


Abstract: A method for storing information in a computer memory system includes maintaining an M.sup.th level storage system including an M.sup.th level data store for storing data, an M.sup.th level full directory for storing a set of tags corresponding to the data, and an M.sup.th level partial directory for storing a subset of the tags. The partial directory is accessible faster than the full directory. Upon an M-1 level miss corresponding to a request for data, a congruence class corresponding to the request is fetched from the partial directory when it is present therein; otherwise, it is fetched from the full directory. The requested data is retrieved from the data store when it is present in the congruence class; otherwise, it is retrieved from a next level of the memory system. The tags in the partial directory may be full tags, partial tags, or a combination thereof.

Notes:

Link to USPTO

IBM Pledge dated 1/11/2005