Method and apparatus for maintaining n-way associative directori

Details Method and apparatus for maintaining n-way associative directori Method and apparatus for maintaining n-way associative directori

1996-07-30

1998-05-05

Asta, Frank J.

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory

Storage accessing and control

Specific memory composition

711128, 711133, 711141, 711146, 364DIG1, G06F 1300

Patent

active

057490872

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a N-way associative directory utilizing a content addressable memory (CAM). A congruence class from the N-way associative directory including a directory entry identified for a data operation is read into the CAM for the data operation. The directory entry for the data operation in the CAM is locked while the data operation is pending. Other entries in the congruence class are available. When the data operation is completed, checking for a state change is performed. Responsive to an identified state change, the directory entry for the data operation in the CAM is updated or marked as changed. The congruence class including the updated directory entry is marked as dirty. In accordance with features of the invention, the changed congruence class directory entries in the CAM are accumulated and scheduled to be written back to the N-way associative directory. The congruence classes including the changed directory entries in the CAM are written back to the N-way associative directory when the N-way associative directory is idle. After the congruence classes including the changed directory entries in the CAM are written back to the N-way associative directory, these CAM entries are marked as not busy and not dirty and can be reused.

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