Patent ID: 8010682
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a request for data in a data processing system of the type including a communications interface configured to communicate return data over a communications link in response to the request, the method comprising, in response to the request: accessing coherency information stored in a coherency directory to identify a source of return data for the request; updating the coherency directory based upon the request; prior to updating the coherency directory, indicating to the communications interface that the return data can be used by the communications interface when received thereby from the source of the return data, wherein indicating that the return data can be used is performed in response to determining that the request will complete; and in the communications interface, preparing for communication of the return data over the communications link in response to the indication, and prior to the return data being available to the communications interface, wherein preparing for communication of the return data comprises arbitrating for the communications link to line up the return data.