Graphics Deterministic Pre-Caching

Abstract

An apparatus includes a computerized appliance having a processor, persistent storage storing one or more executable programs, and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) accessible by the processor, and caching software (SW) executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium, the SW providing a process: storing Logical Block Address (LBA) tables associated with individual ones of existing programs executable on the processor, tracking program launch and close, managing caching of data for any program launched according to the associated LBA, tracking data usage during execution of any program launched, on closing a program, removing any unused LBAs from the associated LBA table, adding any LBAs accessed not on the table; and saving the resulting LBA table for the program closed.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A computing system, comprising:
 a computerized appliance having a processor, persistent memory storing a plurality of executable programs, and volatile Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) accessible by the processor; and   deterministic cache-management software executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium;   wherein, upon first execution of an individual one of the plurality of executable programs, the deterministic cache management software tracks data usage from data locations in the persistent memory as the program is executed, upon the program being closed records the data locations, and upon the same program being subsequently executed, configures a cache in the DRAM with the data used in the first execution, enabling the data to be called from DRAM instead of from the persistent storage.   
     
     
         16 . The computing system of  claim 15  wherein the system further comprises a configuration utility that scans the persistent memory for executable programs, and enables a user through an interactive interface to select executable programs, and to manually configure a cache in the DRAM for the selected programs. 
     
     
         17 . The computing system of  claim 16  wherein the configuration utility further enables the user to prioritize programs for cache usage in DRAM. 
     
     
         18 . The computing system of  claim 15  wherein, barring reboot, the data moved to the cache in DRAM for programs remains in the cache. 
     
     
         19 . The computing system of  claim 15  wherein for second and subsequent executions of individual ones of the plurality of executable programs, the deterministic cache-management software continues to track data usage, and upon program close updates any changes in the cache configuration for that executable program. 
     
     
         20 . The computing system of  claim 16  wherein the interactive interface displays one or more links that when initiated connect the computing system to a network-connected server that provides downloadable resources for configuring specific programs for deterministic pre-caching. 
     
     
         21 . The computing system of  claim 20  wherein the one or more links enable download of updated versions of the pre-caching SW, registration of downloaded SW, and help with set-up and operation of the pre-caching SW. 
     
     
         22 . A method, comprising steps:
 upon first execution of an individual one of a plurality of executable programs stored in persistent memory, executing, on a processor of the system, deterministic cache management software, tracking data usage from data locations in the persistent memory as the program is executed;   upon the executable program being closed, recording the data locations of data used in the execution; and   upon the same program being subsequently executed, configuring a cache in DRAM of the computing system with the data used in the first execution, enabling the data to be called from DRAM instead of from the persistent storage.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising scanning the persistent memory by a configuration utility for executable programs, and enabling through an interactive interface selection of executable programs, and manually configuring a cache in the DRAM for the selected programs. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising prioritizing programs for cache usage in DRAM. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein, barring reboot, the data moved to the cache in DRAM for programs remains in the cache. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising continuing to track data usage for second and subsequent executions of individual ones of the plurality of executable programs, and upon program close updating any changes in the cache configuration for that executable program. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising displaying one or more links in the interactive interface, that when initiated connect the computing system to a network-connected server that provides downloadable resources for configuring specific programs for deterministic pre-caching. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising enabling through the one or more links, downloading of updated versions of the pre-caching SW, registration of downloaded SW, and help with set-up and operation of the pre-caching SW.