The Cache Coherence Problem in Shared-Memory Multiprocessors


Book Description

The book illustrates state-of-the-art software solutions for cache coherence maintenance in shared-memory multiprocessors. It begins with a brief overview of the cache coherence problem and introduces software solutions to the problem. The text defines and details static and dynamic software schemes, techniques for modeling performance evaluation mechanisms, and performance evaluation studies.







Scalable Shared Memory Multiprocessors


Book Description

Mathematics of Computing -- Parallelism.




Cache and Interconnect Architectures in Multiprocessors


Book Description

Cache And Interconnect Architectures In Multiprocessors Eilat, Israel May 25-261989 Michel Dubois UniversityofSouthernCalifornia Shreekant S. Thakkar SequentComputerSystems The aim of the workshop was to bring together researchers working on cache coherence protocols for shared-memory multiprocessors with various interconnect architectures. Shared-memory multiprocessors have become viable systems for many applications. Bus based shared-memory systems (Eg. Sequent's Symmetry, Encore's Multimax) are currently limited to 32 processors. The fIrst goal of the workshop was to learn about the performance ofapplications on current cache-based systems. The second goal was to learn about new network architectures and protocols for future scalable systems. These protocols and interconnects would allow shared-memory architectures to scale beyond current imitations. The workshop had 20 speakers who talked about their current research. The discussions were lively and cordial enough to keep the participants away from the wonderful sand and sun for two days. The participants got to know each other well and were able to share their thoughts in an informal manner. The workshop was organized into several sessions. The summary of each session is described below. This book presents revisions of some of the papers presented at the workshop.




High Performance Memory Systems


Book Description

The State of Memory Technology Over the past decade there has been rapid growth in the speed of micropro cessors. CPU speeds are approximately doubling every eighteen months, while main memory speed doubles about every ten years. The International Tech nology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) study suggests that memory will remain on its current growth path. The ITRS short-and long-term targets indicate continued scaling improvements at about the current rate by 2016. This translates to bit densities increasing at two times every two years until the introduction of 8 gigabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips, after which densities will increase four times every five years. A similar growth pattern is forecast for other high-density chip areas and high-performance logic (e.g., microprocessors and application specific inte grated circuits (ASICs)). In the future, molecular devices, 64 gigabit DRAMs and 28 GHz clock signals are targeted. Although densities continue to grow, we still do not see significant advances that will improve memory speed. These trends have created a problem that has been labeled the Memory Wall or Memory Gap.




Cache and Memory Hierarchy Design


Book Description

An authoritative book for hardware and software designers. Caches are by far the simplest and most effective mechanism for improving computer performance. This innovative book exposes the characteristics of performance-optimal single and multi-level cache hierarchies by approaching the cache design process through the novel perspective of minimizing execution times. It presents useful data on the relative performance of a wide spectrum of machines and offers empirical and analytical evaluations of the underlying phenomena. This book will help computer professionals appreciate the impact of caches and enable designers to maximize performance given particular implementation constraints.




Scalable Shared-Memory Multiprocessing


Book Description

Dr. Lenoski and Dr. Weber have experience with leading-edge research and practical issues involved in implementing large-scale parallel systems. They were key contributors to the architecture and design of the DASH multiprocessor. Currently, they are involved with commercializing scalable shared-memory technology.




A Primer on Memory Consistency and Cache Coherence


Book Description

Many modern computer systems and most multicore chips (chip multiprocessors) support shared memory in hardware. In a shared memory system, each of the processor cores may read and write to a single shared address space. For a shared memory machine, the memory consistency model defines the architecturally visible behavior of its memory system. Consistency definitions provide rules about loads and stores (or memory reads and writes) and how they act upon memory. As part of supporting a memory consistency model, many machines also provide cache coherence protocols that ensure that multiple cached copies of data are kept up-to-date. The goal of this primer is to provide readers with a basic understanding of consistency and coherence. This understanding includes both the issues that must be solved as well as a variety of solutions. We present both highlevel concepts as well as specific, concrete examples from real-world systems. Table of Contents: Preface / Introduction to Consistency and Coherence / Coherence Basics / Memory Consistency Motivation and Sequential Consistency / Total Store Order and the x86 Memory Model / Relaxed Memory Consistency / Coherence Protocols / Snooping Coherence Protocols / Directory Coherence Protocols / Advanced Topics in Coherence / Author Biographies