Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and circuit for prefetching direct memory access descriptors from memory of a computer system, and storing the prefetched direct memory access descriptors within a unified descriptor memory for subsequent access by direct memory access controllers. The descriptors are generated by a central processing unit of the computer system while executing software applications. The descriptors define data transfer operations between memory of the computer system and input/output devices via direct memory access controllers. The direct memory access controllers generate requests for descriptors. Upon generation of a request, the unified descriptor memory is checked to determine whether the requested descriptor is contained therein. If the requested descriptor is contained within the unified descriptor memory, the request descriptor is provided to the requesting direct memory access controller. If, however, the requested descriptor is not stored within the unified descriptor memory, the system memory is accessed for the requested descriptor, and the requested descriptor is transferred from system memory to the unified descriptor memory in a block of descriptors each relating to the same context. After the requested descriptor is stored within the unified descriptor memory, the requested descriptor is provided to the requesting direct memory access controller.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim