Multiprocessor system utilizing a directory memory and including grouped processing elements each having cache
First Claim
1. A multiprocessor system having a data memory for storing data in a plurality of divided block areas, and a plurality of processing elements each having a cache memory for holding a copy of part of said data stored in said divided block areas of said data memory in units of a data block stored in each of said divided block areas, said multiprocessor system comprising:
- a directory memory for classifying said plurality of processing elements into processing groups each comprising a plurality of said processing elements, and for holding directory information indicating which one of said processing group holds a copy of the data stored in said data memory in units of said data block; and
control means for referring to said directory memory in response to a request from one of said processing elements, for identifying the processing group holding said copy of data, and for delivering a predetermined message to processing elements belonging to the identified processing group.
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Abstract
In a shared memory type multiprocessing system, when data stored in each processing element is managed in a directory method, a plurality of processing elements are grouped in advance. A directory memory is provided along with a data memory mounted in a shared memory. Directory information held in the directory memory indicates which one of the groups holds a copy of a data block. In response to a request from the processing element, the shared memory executes a process of finding the processing element from the processing group, or a process of finding the processing group from the processing element.
52 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A multiprocessor system having a data memory for storing data in a plurality of divided block areas, and a plurality of processing elements each having a cache memory for holding a copy of part of said data stored in said divided block areas of said data memory in units of a data block stored in each of said divided block areas, said multiprocessor system comprising:
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a directory memory for classifying said plurality of processing elements into processing groups each comprising a plurality of said processing elements, and for holding directory information indicating which one of said processing group holds a copy of the data stored in said data memory in units of said data block; and control means for referring to said directory memory in response to a request from one of said processing elements, for identifying the processing group holding said copy of data, and for delivering a predetermined message to processing elements belonging to the identified processing group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A directory management method applicable to a multiprocessing system having a data memory for storing data in a plurality of divided block areas, a plurality of processing elements each having a cache memory for holding a copy of part of said data stored in said divided block areas of said data memory in units of a data block stored in each of said divided block areas, and a directory memory for storing information relating to a copy of the data stored in said data memory, said directory management method comprising the steps of:
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a) classifying said plurality of processing elements into processing groups each comprising a plurality of said processing elements, and holding directory information indicating which of said processing groups hold the copy of the data stored in said data memory, said directory information being held in said directory memory in units corresponding to said data block; and b) referring to said directory memory in response to a request for data from one of said processing elements, identifying the processing group holding the requested data, and delivering a predetermined message to the processing elements belonging to the identified processing group. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification