Multiprocessing system configured to perform synchronization operations
First Claim
1. A processing node comprising:
- a processor configured to perform a synchronization command; and
a request agent coupled to receive said synchronization command from said processor, wherein said request agent is configured to perform a synchronization operation upon receipt of said synchronization command, wherein said request agent comprises a plurality of control units, and wherein each of said plurality of control units is configured to initiate coherency activity with respect to a transaction, and wherein said plurality of control units are configured to operate upon different transactions in parallel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
When a processor within a computer system performs a synchronization operation, the system interface within the node delays subsequent transactions from the processor until outstanding coherency activity is completed. Therefore, the computer system may employ asynchronous operations. The synchronization operations may be used when needed to guarantee global completion of one or more prior asynchronous operations. In one embodiment, the synchronization operation is placed into a queue within the system interface. When the synchronization operation reaches the head of the queue, it may be initiated within the system interface. The system interface further includes a request agent comprising multiple control units, each of which may concurrently service coherency activity with respect to a different transaction. Furthermore, the system interface includes a synchronization control vector register which stores a bit for each control unit. Upon initiation of the synchronization operation within the system interface, bits corresponding to those control units which are performing coherency activity (i.e. those which are not idle) are set while other bits are cleared. As each control unit returns to the idle state, the corresponding bit is cleared as well. Once all the bits within the synchronization control vector register are cleared, the coherency activity which was outstanding when the synchronization operation was initiated is complete. The synchronization operation may then be completed.
108 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A processing node comprising:
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a processor configured to perform a synchronization command; and a request agent coupled to receive said synchronization command from said processor, wherein said request agent is configured to perform a synchronization operation upon receipt of said synchronization command, wherein said request agent comprises a plurality of control units, and wherein each of said plurality of control units is configured to initiate coherency activity with respect to a transaction, and wherein said plurality of control units are configured to operate upon different transactions in parallel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer system comprising:
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a first processing node including a request agent and at least one processor, wherein said request agent is configured to perform coherency requests in response to transactions performed by said processor; and a second processing node including a slave agent configured to perform coherency replies in response to said coherency requests; wherein said request agent is configured to inhibit additional coherency requests in response to transactions performed by said processor until said coherency replies are received for coherency requests outstanding from said request agent upon receipt of a synchronization operation performed within said first processing node.
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13. A method for performing synchronization comprising:
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executing a synchronization operation in a processor within a processing node; receiving said synchronization operation in a request agent within said processing node; waiting for coherency activity initiated by said request agent prior to said receiving to complete; and reissuing said synchronization operation within said processing node, whereby said synchronization operation is completed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for synchronizing comprising:
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executing at least one asynchronous operation; executing a system level synchronizing operation subsequent to said asynchronous operation; and executing a processor level synchronization operation subsequent to said system level synchronization operation.
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Specification