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System with multicast invalidations and split ownership and access right coherence mechanism

  • US 20040003183A1
  • Filed: 06/28/2002
  • Published: 01/01/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer system comprising:

  • a plurality of active devices including a first active device that includes a first cache;

    a directory configured to indicate which of the plurality of active devices has an ownership responsibility for a given coherency unit;

    an address network configured to convey address packets between the plurality of active devices and the directory;

    a data network configured to convey data packets between the plurality of active devices;

    wherein depending upon whether the directory indicates that at least one active device included in a first subset of the plurality of active devices has a shared access right to a first coherency unit, the directory is configured to send an invalidating address packet on the address network to each active device included in the first subset;

    wherein the first active device is configured to transition an ownership responsibility for a first coherency unit cached in the first cache upon receipt of a first address packet and to transition an access right to the first coherency unit cached in the first cache upon receipt of a corresponding data packet, wherein the ownership responsibility transitions at a different time than the access right transitions.

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