Storage-Side Volatile Cache Extension for Database I/O Latency

The patent introduces a hierarchical cache architecture that adds a new dimension to the caching system. Instead of a single flat cache, it creates multiple cache layers (storage-side volatile cache, storage-side persistent cache, and database-side cache) organized in tiers. This dimensional transformation allows the system to achieve high cache hit rates through the volatile cache layer without requiring the entire cache capacity to be volatile, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource requirements.

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the caching system serve different purposes. The storage-side volatile cache is optimized for speed with smaller capacity, while the storage-side persistent cache provides larger capacity with higher latency. This local optimization allows each cache layer to excel at its specific function, resolving the contradiction between I/O speed and cache miss penalty by ensuring that frequently accessed data is served from the fast volatile cache while less frequently accessed data resides in the larger persistent cache.

The patent merges the database-side cache and storage-side volatile cache into a unified hierarchical caching system. Instead of operating as separate, potentially redundant caches, they are integrated into a coordinated architecture where the storage-side volatile cache acts as an extension of the database-side cache. This merging eliminates data redundancy while maintaining cache availability, as the hierarchical structure ensures that data is stored once and accessed through the appropriate cache layer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.