Patent EP0539012A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0539012A2
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EP
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Improved digital processor with distributed memory system
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A digital data processing system with shared, distributed memory transfers data between corresponding data sets within memory. For example, such system can have a plurality of processing cells interconnected by a hierarchical network. Each of the processing cells can include a central processing unit (40A etc) and a memory element (42A etc). The storage space within each memory is arranged in sets, each capable of holding a plurality of data pages. At least a first processing cell includes page distribution means for determining when at least a first set in the associated memory has reached a predetermined storage commitment condition -- e.g. that the set is filled. Under such a condition, the page distribution means invokes a page-transfer element that selects a candidate processing cell from among the other cells and transfers one or more pages from the first set to a corresponding set in the candidate cell. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Kaufman
- 👤 Fernando Oliveira
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/163; G06F15/173; G06F15/17356; G06F15/17368; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/08; G06F12/0802; G06F12/0806; G06F12/0815; G06F12/0817; G06F12/0824; G06F12/12; G06F12/121; G06F12/128; G06F2212/00; G06F2212/27; G06F2212/272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A digital data processor comprising A. plural processing cells for at least storing data pages, each page comprising one or more information-representative signals, B. each processing cell including a memory element for storing the data pages of that cell, each said memory element being arranged with plural sets, each said set for storing one or more data pages and corresponding with a respective set of each of said other memory elements, C. network means coupled to said plural processing cells for transferring signals, including at least portion of a page, therebetween, D. at least a first said processing cell including page distribution means for determining when at least a first set in the associated memory element reaches a predetermined storage commitment condition for invoking page-transfer means for i) selecting a candidate processing cell from among the other cells, and ii) effecting transfer of one or more pages from said first set to the corresponding set in the memory element of said candidate processing cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A digital data processor according to claim 1, wherein A. said page-transfer means includes means for generating a signal representative of a request for transferring said one or more pages, and for transmitting that request signal on said network means, and B. said candidate processing cell includes take-ownership means responsive to said transfer request signal received on said network means for generating a signal representative of a request for ownership access to said one or more pages, and C. control unit means coupled with said first processing cell and with said candidate processing cell for responding to said ownership request signal for i) allocating, exclusively, within a set of the memory element of said candidate processing cell corresponding to the first set physical storage space for said one or more pages, ii) transferring said one or more pages from said first processing cell to said candidate processing cell, and ii) deallocating physical storage space in said first set of first processing cell which physical storage space had stored said transferred pages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A digital data processor according to claim 2, wherein A. said first processing cell includes central processing unit means for requesting allocation of a page in the associated memory element, B. said control unit means includes means for responding to selected ones of said allocation requests for generating a line-full signal, C. said page distribution means includes line-full means responsive to said line-full condition for invoking said page-transfer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A digital data processor according to claim 3, wherein said control unit means includes means for generating said line-full signal in response to a request to allocate a page in filled set of said associated memory element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital data processor according to claim 1, comprising table means for storing a status of each of one or more sets within the memory elements of said processing cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital data processor according to claim 5, wherein said page distribution means includes means coupled to said table for responding to a selected status for invoking said page-transfer means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A digital data processor according to claim 5, wherein said status represents a count of times the corresponding set becomes filled within a designated time interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A digital data processor according to claim 7, wherein A. said first processing cell includes means for requesting allocation of a page in the associated memory element, B. said processor includes control unit means for responding to selected ones of said allocation requests for generating a line-full signal, C. said table means includes means. responsive to said line-full signal for incrementing the count associated with the corresponding set of the corresponding memory element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A digital data processor according to claim 7, wherein said page distribution means includes line-clean means responsive to the count becoming greater than a predetermined value within said designated time interval for invoking said page-transfer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital data processor according to claim 1, wherein maid distribution means includes page selection means for selecting said one or more pages to transfer in accord with predetermined parameters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A digital data processor according to claim 10, wherein said page selection means includes means for selecting for transfer at least selected modified pages for which no portion thereof is subcached for use by a processor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A digital data processor according to claim 10, comprising held page means for preventing one or more selected pages in a set from being selected for transfer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital data processor according to claim 12, wherein said selected pages store at least selected instructions for operation of said digital data processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A digital data processor according to claim 12 wherein said selected pages store instructions for operation of said distribution means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A digital data processor according to claim 1, wherein said distribution means includes cell selection means responsive to one or more parameters for identifying said candidate cell from among said other cells.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A digital data processor according to claim 5, wherein said cell selection means includes means for selecting said candidate in accord with a search of one or more processing cells local to said first processing cell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A digital data processor according to claim 15, wherein said cell selection means includes means responsive to a failure to identify said candidate cell from among processing cells local to said first processing cell for selecting candidate based on a search of at least selected processing cells not local to said first processing cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
A digital data processor according to any of claims 1 - 17, comprising A. disk means for secondary storage of at least portions of pages, B. said distribution means including means responsive to a failure to transfer one or more pages to a candidate cell within a specified period after the associated memory element reaches said predetermined storage commitment condition for copying said one or more pages to said disk means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of operating a digital data processor, said method comprising the steps of A. providing plural processing cells, each including a memory element for storing one or more data pages, each page comprising one or more information-representative signals, B. arranging the data within each said memory element in plural sets, each said set corresponding with a respective set of each of said other memory elements, C. transferring signals, including at least portion of a page, between said processing cells, D. determining when at least a first set in the memory element of a first processing cell reaches a predetermined storage commitment condition and invoking in response thereto a page-transfer subprocess for i) selecting a candidate processing cell from among said other memory elements, and for ii) effecting transfer of one or more pages from said first set to the corresponding set in the memory element of said candidate processing cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
154 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein A. said page-transfer subprocess includes the step of generating a signal representative of a request for transferring said one or more pages, and for transmitting that request signal on said network means, and B. said method includes the step of responding, within said candidate processing cell, to said transfer request signal received on said network means for generating a signal representative of a request for ownership access to said one or more pages, and C. responding to said ownership request signal for i) allocating, exclusively, within a set of the memory element of said candidate processing cell for physical storage space for said one or more pages, ii) transferring said one or more pages from said first processing cell to said candidate processing cell, and iii) deallocating physical storage space in said first set of first processing cell which physical storage space had stored said transferred pages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 20, comprising the steps of A. requesting allocation of a page in the memory element of said first processing cell, B. responding to selected ones of said allocation requests for generating a line-full signal, C. responding to said line-full condition for invoking said page-transfer subprocess.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 21, comprising the step of generating said line-full signal in response to a request to allocate a page in filled set of said associated memory element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 19, comprising the step of storing a status of each of one or more sets within the memory elements of said processing cells.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 23, comprising the steps of A. requesting allocation of a page in the memory element of said first processing cell, B. responding to selected ones of said allocation requests for generating a line-full signal, C. responding to said line-full signal for incrementing the count associated with the corresponding set of the corresponding memory element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 24, comprising the step of responding to the count becoming greater than a predetermined value within said designated time interval for invoking said page-transfer means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 19, comprising the further steps of selecting said one or more pages to transfer in accord with predetermined parameters.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 19, comprising the steps of identifying said candidate cell from among said other cells based on predetermined parameters.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 27, comprising the step of selecting said candidate in accord with a search of one or more processing cells local to said first processing cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 28, comprising the step of responding to a failure to identify said candidate cell from among processing cells local to said first processing cell for selecting candidate based on a search of at least selected processing cells not local to said first processing cell.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to any of claim 19 - 29, comprising the steps of A. providing disk means for secondary storage of at least portions of pages, B. responding to a failure to transfer one or more pages to a candidate cell within a specified period after the associated memory element reaches said predetermined storage commitment condition for copying said one or more pages to said disk means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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