# Direct Cache Access (DCA)

Direct Cache Access enables a capable I/O device such as a network controller to activate a pre-fetch engine in the CPU that loads arriving packet data into the CPU cache for immediate access by the network stack process. This reduces the number of memory access operations required to process each packet, reducing CPU load and increasing throughput.

DCA takes advantage of high-speed cache and eliminates processor cycles required to read packet headers and descriptors from system memory.

| NOTE: DCA requires support from the I/O device, system chipset, and CPU.