Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for a victim cache to operate in conjunction with another cache to help mitigate the risk of a side-channel attack. In an embodiment, a first line is evicted from a primary cache, and moved to a victim cache, based on a message indicating that a second line is to be stored to the primary cache. The victim cache is accessed using an independently randomized mapping. Subsequently, a request to access the first line results in a search of the victim cache and the primary cache. Based on the search, the first line is evicted from the victim cache, and reinserted in the primary cache. In another embodiment, reinsertion of the first line in the primary cache includes the first line and a third line being swapped between the primary cache and the victim cache.

Abstract: Embodiment of this disclosure provides a mechanism to store cache lines in dedicated cache of an idle core. In one embodiment, a multi-core processor comprising a first core, a second core, a first cache, a second cache, a third cache, and a cache controller unit is provided. The cache controller is operatively coupled to at least the first cache, the second cache, and the third cache. The cache controller is to evict a first line from the first cache, wherein the first core is in an active state. Responsive to the evicting of the first line, the first line is stored in the third cache. Responsive to storing the first line, a second line is evicted from the third cache. Responsive to evicting the second line, the second line is stored in the second cache when the second core is in an idle state.

Abstract: Embodiment of this disclosure provides a hierarchical structure of ordering points. In some embodiments, the hierarchical structure includes a single primary ordering point (POP) and at least one (or more) auxiliary order point (AOP) of a processing device. In one implementation, the processing device includes one or more cores; and a coherency circuit, operatively coupled to the cores. The processing device is to receive a plurality of memory access requests to be ordered by a first ordering point of the processing device. The processing device determines whether to stop the first ordering point based on a system event. Responsive to determining that the first ordering point is stopped, a second ordering point of the processing device is identified. Thereupon, a memory access request of the plurality of memory access requests is provided to the second ordering point.

Abstract: Embodiment of this disclosure provides a hierarchical structure of ordering points. In some embodiments, the hierarchical structure includes a single primary ordering point (POP) and at least one (or more) auxiliary order point (AOP) of a processing device. In one implementation, the processing device includes one or more cores; and a coherency circuit, operatively coupled to the cores. The processing device is to receive a plurality of memory access requests to be ordered by a first ordering point of the processing device. The processing device determines whether to stop the first ordering point based on a system event. Responsive to determining that the first ordering point is stopped, a second ordering point of the processing device is identified. Thereupon, a memory access request of the plurality of memory access requests is provided to the second ordering point.

Abstract: Embodiment of this disclosure provides a mechanism to store cache lines in dedicated cache of an idle core. In one embodiment, a multi-core processor comprising a first core, a second core, a first cache, a second cache, a third cache, and a cache controller unit is provided. The cache controller is operatively coupled to at least the first cache, the second cache, and the third cache. The cache controller is to evict a first line from the first cache, wherein the first core is in an active state. Responsive to the evicting of the first line, the first line is stored in the third cache. Responsive to storing the first line, a second line is evicted from the third cache. Responsive to evicting the second line, the second line is stored in the second cache when the second core is in an idle state.