Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A computer storage management system establishes a subpool of available blocks of one size from a multiplicity of different storage frames. The available blocks are queued in the subpool. A garbage collection routine periodically or occasionally determines which of the frames having blocks on the subpool queue are completely available based on the number of available blocks on the queue for each frame. Then, the garbage collection routine removes from the queue and thereby reclaims the blocks of the frames which are completely available. The garbage collection routine also requeues the blocks from the other frames such that the blocks of these other frames are clustered with the other blocks of the same frame. Blocks are allocated from the front of the queue. Blocks of the one size from frames other than those represented at or near the end of the queue are returned to the front of the queue after use. Blocks of the one size from frames represented at or near the end of the queue are returned to a different position than the other blocks and allocated after other blocks on the queue. Consequently, as blocks are subsequently allocated from and some returned to the front of the queue, the blocks from the frames at or near the end of the queue are not allocated assuming the subpool is under utilized.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim