Store-in-cache processor means for clearing main storage

Abstract

Inhibit means prevents a store-in-cache (SIC) from requesting or receiving any line fetch from MS when a clear line (CL) command is issued by a CPU to main storage (MS). Two CPU modes are provided: (1) an initial storage validation mode and (2) an instruction processing mode. The system operator controls the first mode so that a CPU can execute the CL command during system initialization without any prior data fetch from MS. In the second mode, the CL command is executed as a component of a program instruction fetched from MS that can clear a block in main storage. In a multiprocessor (MP), the CL command by any CPU requests a line store of pad data into an addressed line in MS only after each other SIC copy directory is searched and any found conflicting line is invalidated. Line castout to MS is prohibited for a conflicting line found in a cache by the CS command, which would have been a normal operation for other types of CPU commands. After any line conflict is found for any other cache in the MP, the completion of the CL command is delayed by cancelling the line pad write request to MS. Then the IE repeatedly reissues the CL command until all found conflicting lines are invalidated. As soon as no conflict is found in any copy directory, the currently issued CL command is completed by not cancelling the pad data request to MS, so that pad bytes are then written into the line in MS.