Data processing system, cache system and method for handling a flush operation in a data processing system having multiple coherency domains

Abstract

A cache coherent data processing system includes at least first and second coherency domains. The first coherency domain contains a memory controller, an associated system memory having a target memory block identified by a target address, and a domain indicator indicating whether the target memory block is cached outside the first coherency domain. During operation, the first coherency domain receives a flush operation broadcast to the first and second coherency domains, where the flush operation specifies the target address of the target memory block. The first coherency domain also receives a combined response for the flush operation representing a system-wide response to the flush operation. In response to receipt in the first coherency domain of the combined response, a determination is made if the combined response indicates that a cached copy of the target memory block may remain within the data processing system. In response to a determination that the combined response indicates that a cached copy of the target memory block may remain in the data processing system, the domain indicator is updated to indicate that the target memory block is cached outside of the first coherency domain.