Management of external memory functioning as virtual cache

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing the caching of data on an auxiliary memory of a computer. Pages of data may be cached on an auxiliary memory, such as a flash memory, at a virtual level using an identifier that does not involve a physical address of the pages on a memory. Pages may be cached on auxiliary memory that may be removable from the computer, e.g., by unplugging the memory from the computer. Page data may be encrypted and/or compressed on the auxiliary memory. An authentication indicator may be used to verify the accuracy of cached data in the case of an interrupted connection to the auxiliary memory, e.g., as a result of computer power down, hibernation, removal of the memory from the computer, etc.

1 . A method performed on a computing device, the method comprising caching data on a memory device, the caching the data performed on a virtual level as opposed to a physical level, where the data is cached on the memory device and retrieved from the memory device based on a key, where the key is configured for identifying the data based on a file identifier and a file offset of the data, and where the key is further configured for identifying the data based on a process identifier and a virtual address of the data. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the data comprises page data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  where the caching the data performed on the virtual level does not identify the cached data's physical address on the memory device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  where the memory device is configured for being removable from the computing device, and for retaining the cached data while removed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  where the data is encrypted. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  where the data is compressed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  where the key does not include a physical address of the data. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising a computing device and at least one program together configured for performing actions comprising caching data on a memory device, the caching the data performed on a virtual level as opposed to a physical level, where the data is cached on the memory device and retrieved from the memory device based on a key, where the key is configured for identifying the data based on a file identifier and a file offset of the data, and where the key is further configured for identifying the data based on a process identifier and a virtual address of the data. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  where the data comprises page data. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  where the caching the data performed on the virtual level does not identify the cached data's physical address on the memory device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  where the memory device is configured for being removable from the computing device, and for retaining the cached data while removed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  where the data is encrypted. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  where the data is compressed. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8  where the key does not include a physical address of the data. 
     
     
         15 . At least one computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform actions comprising caching data on a memory device, the caching the data performed on a virtual level as opposed to a physical level, where the data is cached on the memory device and retrieved from the memory device based on a key, where the key is configured for identifying the data based on a file identifier and a file offset of the data, and where the key is further configured for identifying the data based on a process identifier and a virtual address of the data. 
     
     
         16 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the data comprises page data. 
     
     
         17 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the caching the data performed on the virtual level does not identify the cached data's physical address on the memory device. 
     
     
         18 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the memory device is configured for being removable from the computing device, and for retaining the cached data while removed. 
     
     
         19 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the data is encrypted, or where the data is compressed. 
     
     
         20 . The at least one computer-readable medium of  claim 15  where the key does not include a physical address of the data.