Apparatus and caching method for optimizing server startup performance

摘要

An apparatus and method implemented in embedded software that provides instant startup functionality to host computers. The apparatus consists of an embedded controller with microprocessor and interface logic and a large amount of cache memory that is battery protected. The method detects data requested by the host during boot sequences, and saves that and associated meta-data in non-volatile memory. The boot process optimizer can then use this information on subsequent starts to provide the data from the faster cache memory instead of a relatively slower mechanically spinning hard disk drives or other mass memory devices. By utilizing locked in memory indicators, the boot data stored in cache memory will be preserved during subsequent accesses by post-boot operations of the host.