Bus expander with logic for virtualizing single cache control into dual

Abstract

Control logic for controlling references to a cache (24) including a cache directory (62) which is capable of being configured into a plurality of ways, each way including tag and valid-bit storage for associatively searching the directory (62) for cache data-array addresses. A cache-configuration register and control logic (64) splits the cache directory (62) into two logical directories, one directory for controlling requests from a first processor and the other directory for controlling requests from a second processor. A prefetch buffer (63) is provided along with a prefetch control register for splitting the prefetch buffer into two logical channels, a first channel for handling prefetches associated with requests from the first processor, and a second channel for handling prefetches associated with requests from the second processor.