Synchronization, coherence, and event ordering in multiprocessors

The problems addressed apply to both throughput-oriented and speedup-oriented multiprocessor systems, either at the user level or the operating-system level. basic definitions are provided. Communication and synchronization are briefly explained, and hardware-level and software-level synchronization mechanisms are discussed. The cache coherence problem is examined, and solutions are described. Strong and weak ordering of events is considered. The user interface is discussed.