Method for sharing variable-grained memory of workstations by sending particular block including line and size of the block to exchange shared data structures
US5933598A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/5016
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a distributed shared memory system, workstations are connected to each other by a network. Each workstation includes a processor, a memory having addresses, and an input/output interface to interconnect the workstations. A software implemented method enables data sharing between the workstations using variable sized quantities of data. A set of the addresses of the memories are designated as virtual shared addresses to store shared data. A portion of the virtual shared addresses are allocated to store a shared data structure as one or more blocks. The shared data structure is accessible by programs executing in any of the processors. The size of a particular allocated block can vary for different shared data structures. Each block includes an integer number of lines, and each line includes a predetermined number of bytes of shared data. Access information of a particular block is stored in the memory of a home one of the workstations. The access information includes the size of the particular block and an identity of workstations having a copy of the block.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.