Using Multiple Predictors to Improve the Accuracy of File Access Predictions

Existing file access predictors keep track of previous file access patterns and rely on a single heuristic to predict which of the previous successors to the file being currently accessed is the most likely to be accessed next. We present here a novel composite predictor that applies multiple heuristics to this selection problem. As a result, it can make use of specialized heuristics that can make very accurate predictions when access patterns are observed to meet their particular criteria. Simulation results involving a total of seven file access traces indicate that our predictor delivers more correct predictions and less inaccurate guesses than predictors relying on a single heuristic for selecting a successor.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: MSS
• Authors: Gary A. S. Whittle, Jehan-François Pâris, Ahmed Amer, Darrell D. E. Long, Randal C. Burns
• Keywords: File Access, File Access Patterns, File Access Predictors, MSS 2003