Cache Coherence Protocol Comparison on a Multicore Simulator
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Stand up gem5's Ruby coherence framework with both MESI and MOESI protocols on a 16-core configuration. Run the 6-benchmark suite (provided): producer-consumer queue, false-sharing micro-benchmark, parallel sort, parallel matrix multiply, lock-heavy hash table, and a real analytics-query workload. For each benchmark x protocol combination, report total coherence messages, miss type distribution (cold/conflict/coherence), and end-to-end cycles. Deliver gem5 configs, raw results, an aggregated comparison table, and a 12-page report with workload-by-workload recommendations.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Compare MESI and MOESI cache coherence protocols on a 16-core simulator across 6 representative workloads and recommend per workload class.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Configure and operate a cache-coherence simulator at scale
- Reason about coherence traffic across workload patterns
- Distinguish cold/conflict/coherence miss types in measurements
- Communicate protocol-comparison evidence to architecture decision-makers
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
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Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
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