Abstract: In a system of multiple caching agents accessing shared cache lines, a dynamic vector scaling mechanism is achieved through the selection of a mode to grant a caching agent that requests access to a cache line. Cache line entries in a directory indicate the particular caching agents that are sharing the line of cache. Modes may include a grouping of multiple caching agents or a representation of a single caching agent. A mode may be determined for additional caching agents. The selection and determination may include determining whether to maintain or change the modes of the caching agents. The selection of the modes for the caching agents may allow the vector to assume a representation in which the caching agents are grouped in such a way as to reduce a number of invalidation requests of a cache line.

Abstract: A directory for maintaining cache line entries may include a limited amount of space for the entries. A preemptive eviction of an entry of the directory is performed so that adequate space for a new entry may be created. The eviction may be performed when a system is in a low-activity state or an idle state in order to conserve system resources. Such a state may also ensure that the new entry does not have to wait to be entered into the directory. The eviction may include the examination of entries to determine if the contents may be eliminated from the directory. The system may establish certain criteria to aid in this determination. Once evicted from the directory, any modified data associated with the entry is transferred to a memory location.

Abstract: A method and system for scaling upwards a multiprocessor cache coherency scheme includes at least two cells. Each cell containing a multiple processor assembly, a cache coherency director, and a system controller. The cache coherency director include an intermediate home agent (IHA) and an intermediate cache agent (ICA). An IHA in one cell communicates with an ICA in another cell to arbitrate the availability of lines of cache that are requested by a processor in one of the cells. A protocol that includes request retries avoids system lockups is used as the basis for inter-cell cache coherency communication.

Abstract: A system for tracking cache coherency in multiprocessor environment includes a first cell having a multiprocessor assembly, a memory, and a coherency director including a first intermediate home agent and a first intermediate cache agent. A second cell is similarly equipped. The two cells may share lines of cache in a controlled manner. Interconnection between the two cells connect the intermediate home agent of one cell to the intermediate cache agent of the second cell. Trackers are present in the agents of the first cell and the second cell. The trackers are responsible for keeping track of cache transactions between cells and queuing up requests for lines of cache so that retry attempts may be made. The trackers thus assist in transactions involving sharing lines of cache, exchanging information and resolving conflicts.

Abstract: A method, a system and a device for locating items are provided. The device sends a selection of at least one item to the server. The server receives the selection and accesses location information regarding the at least one item. The server sends the location information to the device, which outputs the location information. In some implementations, a user may indicate a desire to receive the location information via e-mail at an e-mail address indicated by the user. In other implementations the user may select the at least one item by using a touch screen, by saying a name of the at least one item, or by writing the name of the item on a display.

Abstract: A system and method that provides the exchange of electronic data interchange (EDI) and electronic fund transfers (EFT) type transactions between trading partners having incompatible accounting database systems is herein provided. The system utilizes a distributed network system connecting one or more client computers representing trading partners and banking institutions to a network server. Each client computer stores data representing EDI and EFT type transactions in an accounting database having a file format that differs from one or more of its associated trading partners. A set of transactions are extracted from an accounting database and converted into a universal file format that is used to exchange data between the various client computers. The universal file format utilizes a freestyle format that accommodates any data element associated with the transactions and is not constrained to a predefined format.