Example implementations relate to cache coherency protocols as applied to a memory block range. Exclusive ownership of a range of blocks of memory in a default shared state may be tracked by a directory. The directory may be associated with a first processor of a set of processors. When a request is received from a second processor of the set of processors to read one or more blocks of memory absent from the directory, one or more blocks may be transmitted in the default shared state to the second processor. The blocks absent from the directory may not be tracked in the directory.

A system and method for managing memory resources. In some embodiments the system includes a first server, a second server, and a server-linking switch connected to the first server and to the second server. The first server may include a stored-program processing circuit, a cache-coherent switch, and a first memory module. In some embodiments, the first memory module is connected to the cache-coherent switch, the cache-coherent switch is connected to the server-linking switch, and the stored-program processing circuit is connected to the cache-coherent switch.

A system and method for managing memory resources. In some embodiments the system includes a first server, a second server, and a server-linking switch connected to the first server and to the second server. The first server may include a stored-program processing circuit, a cache-coherent switch, and a first memory module. In some embodiments, the first memory module is connected to the cache-coherent switch, the cache-coherent switch is connected to the server-linking switch, and the stored-program processing circuit is connected to the cache-coherent switch.

A method of operating a cache system is disclosed. Information indicating a link between associated header and payload cache entries is maintained. The link information may be used to reduce cache coherency traffic.

A system, mechanism, tool, programming product, processor, and/or method for generating a hazard in a processor includes: identifying one or more cache lines to invalidate in a second level memory of a processing core in the processor; invalidating, in response to identifying one or more cache lines to invalidate in the second level cache, the one or more identified cache lines in the second level memory; and invalidating, in response to invalidating the one or more identified cache lines in the second level memory, the corresponding one or more cache lines in a first level memory. In an aspect the hazard generating mechanism is triggered, preferably on demand, and includes in an approach searching for cache lines in the second level memory that are also in the first level memory.

An electronic device includes a cache memory and a controller. The cache memory includes a set of cache blocks, each cache block having a number of locations usable for storing cache lines. The cache memory also includes a separate set of error correction code (ECC) bits for each of the locations. The controller stores a victim cache line, evicted from a first location in the cache block, in a second location in the cache block. The controller next stores victim reference information in a portion of the plurality of ECC bits for the first location, the victim reference information indicating that the victim cache line is stored in the second location.

An electronic device includes a cache memory and a controller. The cache memory includes a set of cache blocks, each cache block having a number of locations usable for storing cache lines. The cache memory also includes a separate set of error correction code (ECC) bits for each of the locations. The controller stores a victim cache line, evicted from a first location in the cache block, in a second location in the cache block. The controller next stores victim reference information in a portion of the plurality of ECC bits for the first location, the victim reference information indicating that the victim cache line is stored in the second location.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are directed to requesting access to a memory address; storing an identification of the memory address in a data structure; receiving a first request for access to the memory address, the request comprising a reference to a second processor core; storing the reference to the second processor in the data structure; receiving a second request for access to the memory address, the second request comprising a reference to a third processor core; determining, based on the data structure, that the third processor core is different from the second processor core; and responding to the second request without buffering the second request.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are directed to requesting access to a memory address; storing an identification of the memory address in a data structure; receiving a first request for access to the memory address, the request comprising a reference to a second processor core; storing the reference to the second processor in the data structure; receiving a second request for access to the memory address, the second request comprising a reference to a third processor core; determining, based on the data structure, that the third processor core is different from the second processor core; and responding to the second request without buffering the second request.

A technique for block data transfer is disclosed that reduces data transfer and memory access overheads and significantly reduces multiprocessor activity and energy consumption. Threads executing on a multiprocessor needing data stored in global memory can request and store the needed data in on-chip shared memory, which can be accessed by the threads multiple times. The data can be loaded from global memory and stored in shared memory using an instruction which directs the data into the shared memory without storing the data in registers and/or cache memory of the multiprocessor during the data transfer.