Coherency controller for a multiprocessor assembly, module and multimodule architecture multiprocessor assembly incorporating said controller

摘要

A coherence controller is included in a module which includes a plurality of multiprocessor units, each of which contains a main memory and processors equipped with respective cache memories. The module may be one of a plurality of similarly constructed modules connected by a router or other type of switching device. The coherence controller in each module includes a cache filter directory having a first filter directory for guaranteeing coherence between the local main memory and the cache memory in each of the processors of the module, and an external port connected to at least one of the other modules. The cache filter directory also includes a complementary filter directory, which tracks locations of lines or blocks of the local main memory copied from the module into other modules, and for guaranteeing coherence between the local main memory and the cache in each of the processors of the module and the other modules.