The S3.mp Scalable Shared Memory Multiprocessor

Abstract

S3.mp (Sun's Scalable Shared memory MultiProcessor) is a research project to demonstrate a low overhead, high throughput communication system that is based on cache coherent distributed shared memory (DSM). S3.mp uses distributed directories and point-to-point messages that are sent over a packet switched interconnect fabric to achieve scalability over a wide range of configurations. S3.mp uses a new CMOS serial link technology that achieves transmission rates >1Gbit/sec and that is directly integrated into a packet router chip. Unlike other DSM systems, S3.mp can be spatially distributed over a local area via fiber optic links. This capability allows S3.mp to interconnect clusters of workstations to form multiprocessor workgroups that efficiently share memory, processors and I/O devices. Multichip module technology, the integrated arbitrary topology router, fast serial links, and a cache coherent DSM system that is integrated into the memory controller allow compact, massively parallel S3.mp systems.