A multiprocessing three level memory hierarchy implementation is described which uses a "write" flag and a "share" flag per page of information stored in a level three main memory. These two flag bits are utilized to communicate from main memory at level three to private and shared caches at memory levels one and two how a given page of information is to be used. Essentially, pages which can be both written and shared are moved from main memory to the shared level two cache and then to the shared level one cache, with the processors executing from the shared level one cache. All other pages are moved from main memory to the private level two and level one caches of the requesting processor. Thus, a processor executes either from its private or shared level one cache. This allows several processors to share a level three common main memory without encountering cross interrogation overhead.

Three level memory hierarchy using write and share flags

Memory integrity is maintained in a system with a hierarchical memory using a set of explicit cache control instructions. The caches in the system have two status flags, a valid bit and a dirty bit, with each block of information stored. The operating system executes selected cache control instructions to ensure memory integrity whenever there is a possibility that integrity could be compromised.

Cache memory consistency control with explicit software instructions

A control system for interlocking processors in a multiprocessing organization. Each processor has its own high speed store in buffer (SIB) cache and each processor shares a common cache with the other processors. The control system insures that all processors access the most up-to-date copy of memory information with a minimal performance impact. The design allows read only copies of the same shared memory block (line) to exist simultaneously in all private caches. Lines that are both shared and changed are stored in the common shared cache, which each processor can directly fetch from and store into. The shared cache system dynamically detects and moves lines, which are both shared and changed, to the common shared cache and moves lines from the shared cache once sharing has ceased.

Multiprocessing system including a shared cache

A system is described wherein a CPU, a main memory means and a bus means are provided. Cache memory means is employed to couple the CPU to the bus means and is further provided with means to indicate the status of a data unit stored within the cache memory means. One status indication tells whether the contents of a storage position have been modified since those contents were received from main memory and another indicates whether the contents of the storage position may be present elsewhere memory means. Control means are provided to assure that when a data unit from a CPU is received and stored in the CPU's associated cache memory means, which data unit is indicated as being also stored in a cache memory means associated with another CPU, such CPU data unit is also written into main memory means. During that process, other cache memory means monitor the bus means and update its corresponding data unit. Bus monitor means are provided and monitor all writes to main memory and reads from main memory to aid in the assurance of system-wide data integrity.

Multi-processor system with cache memories

This disclosure describes a snooping coherency protocol for a multiprocessor network wherein every processor has its own private cache and bus interface means and the network is connected via a common system bus. Each processor has its own cache directory and image directory that duplicate each other non-atomically. The snooping protocol utilizes the duality of directories coupled with the non-atomicity of directory updates to maximize processor-cache availability and minimize processor-cache access times thus supporting high performance architectures.

Hardware implemented cache coherency protocole with duplicated distributed directories for high-performance multiprocessors

In a multiprocessor data processing system, all processors must have access to certain communications tables stored in the main memory shared by the processors. Each processor has a cache store embedded within for its individual use. A cache store in one processor might contain data from the communication tables which is obsoleted by operations of a second processor. The cache store clearing apparatus invalidates its data information any time its processor accesses the communication tables. The cache store is cleared by resetting tag directory indicators, a round robin counter and a column full flag, for each column in a four level set associative tag directory to the cache store. The data in the cache store need not be cleared. Using the four level set associative tag directory permits the data information in the cache store to be invalidated by a 16 pulse burst of signals for 1K words of cache store directed to the tag directory indicators.

Pine D

Papers

Cache store clearing operation for multiprocessor mode