Patent ID: 8924644

Claim:
A method of extending cache in a multi-processor computer, the method comprising: detecting, by a donor processor, nonuse of a donor processor's cache; in response to detecting the nonuse, broadcasting to one or more processors in the multi-processor computer, by the donor processor, a donor-ready message indicating the donor processor's cache is available for ownership transferment; in response to the broadcast of the donor-ready message, receiving from a first requesting processor, by the donor processor, a first ownership-request message requesting ownership of the donor processor's cache by the first requesting processor; in response to receiving the first ownership-request message, transmitting to the first requesting processor, by the donor processor, an ownership-grant message indicating an intention of the donor processor to transfer ownership of the donor processor's cache to the first requesting processor; and in response to transmitting the ownership-grant message, receiving from the first requesting processor, by the donor processor, an ownership-claim message indicating that the first requesting processor intends to claim ownership of the donor processor's cache.