Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes a number of system processors which tightly couple to a system bus to share a main or system memory and a number of on-board memory processors which also are tightly coupled to the system bus. Each processor has a high performance microprocessor which tightly couples to an on-board or local memory through the microprocessor's local bus. System memory is accessible using a memory lock protocol while the local memory is accessible through a bus lock protocol. Each on-board memory processor includes a lock mechanism which enables the processing of memory lock commands directed to its local memory received via the system bus from any other processor and for issuing memory lock commands to system memory.

Abstract: A system and method for interpreting messages sent from an I/O device to an application object in an object-oriented environment, such that the messages interpretation of these messages will be consistent regardless of the I/O device used to generate them. Dynamic binding is used to interpret any object-object interactions that may occur. In general, the message interpretation abilities of the present invention allows additional I/O devices to be used with the object-oriented environment without having to update all the application objects in the environment.