Synchronization with multiprocessor caches

Abstract

Introducing private caches in bus-based shared memory multiprocessors leads to the cache consistency problem since there may be multiple copies of shared data. However, the ability to snoop on the bus coupled with the fast broadcast capability allows the design of special hardware support for synchronization. We present a new lock-based cache scheme which incorporates synchronization into the cache coherency mechanism. With this scheme high-level synchronization primitives as well as low-level ones can be implemented without excessive overhead. Cost functions for well-known synchronization methods are derived for invalidation schemes, write update schemes, and our lock-based scheme. To accurately predict the performance implications of the new scheme, a new simulation model is developed embodying a widely accepted paradigm of parallel programming. It is shown that our lock-based protocol outperforms existing cache protocols.