Using reinforcement learning to dynamically tune cache policy parameters

Abstract

Reinforcement learning is used to dynamically tune cache policy parameters. The current state of a workload on a cache is provided to a reinforcement learning process. The reinforcement learning process uses the cache workload characterization to select an action to be taken to adjust a value of one of multiple parameterized cache policies used to control operation of a cache. The adjusted value is applied to the cache for an upcoming time interval. At the end of the time interval, a reward associated with the action is determined, which may be computed by comparing the cache hit rate during the interval with a baseline hit rate. The process iterates until the end of an episode, at which point the parameters of the cache control policies are reset. The episode is used to train the reinforcement learning policy so that the reinforcement learning process converges to a trained state.