Abstract: With the trend towards Chip Multi-processors(CMPs) for the next leap in computing performance and the increasing of on-chip cache capacity, many architectures have explored cache resource management for better use and allocation of cache resource to accommodate various optimizing goals. Representive cache resource management mechanisms were evaluated and divided into two main catogaries, i. e. Cache Partitioning and Cache Sharing, based on their research focus. For cache partitioning, its main components and common form were described. For cache sharing, the key research directions were presented. Several mainstream cache partitioning mechanisms and cache sharing mechanisms were then investigated and compared respectively. The conclusion is that hardware and software co-designed page management is a promising field for future cache partitioning research, and also cache sharing mechanisms should be based on the thorough analysis of application background and the corresponding cache access behaviors.

Key words: Chip multi processors, Cache resource management, Cache partitioning, Cache sharing, Non-uniform cache architecture