Communication in Multi-core

• Ideal for shared address space
  • Fast on-chip hardwired communication through cache (no OS intervention)
  • Two types of architectures
    • Tiled CMP: each core has its private cache hierarchy (no cache sharing); Intel Pentium D, Dual Core Opteron , Intel Montecito, Sun UltraSPARC IV, IBM Cell (more specialized)
    • Shared cache CMP: Outermost level of cache hierarchy is shared among cores; Intel Woodcrest (server-grade Core duo), Intel Conroe (Core2 duo for desktop), Sun Niagara, IBM Power4, IBM Power5

Tiled CMP (Hypothetical Floor-plan)