Micro benchmark analysis of the KSR1

The micro benchmark approach is used to analyze the KSR1 and, in particular, the ALLCACHE memory architecture and ring interconnection. The authors have been able to elucidate many facets of memory performance. The technique has enabled them to identify and characterize parts of the memory design not described by Kendall Square Research. The results show that a miss in the local cache can incur a penalty ranging from 7.5 to 500 ms (when a dirty "page" in the local cache must be evicted). The programmer must be very careful in placement and accessing of data to obtain maximum performance from the KSR1; the data presented will help in understanding the performance actually obtained.