Method to persistent invalidation to ensure cache durability

Abstract

A method and system of persistent cache invalidation ensures cache durability. A storage filter driver of a storage input/output (I/O) stack of a server may be used to capture (i.e., track) write requests made to storage devices prior to the persistent cache becoming operational. Entries in the cache having overlapping address ranges with the tracked write requests may be invalidated before the cache is deemed operational. In this manner, the cache remains consistent with the backing store across the administrative actions or failure event (albeit with less valid entries). Notably, the filter driver tracks (i.e., captures) metadata of the write request (i.e., address range and size of the request) to support invalidation of matching cache entries. As such, the filter driver need not store (record) data associated with the write request.