Improved techniques and systems for accommodating TLB shootdown events in
multi-processor computer systems are disclosed. A memory management unit
(MMU) having a TLB miss handler and miss exception handler is provided.
The MMU receives instructions relative to a virtual address. A TLB is
searched for the virtual address, if the virtual address is not found in
the TLB, secondary memory assets are searched for a TTE that corresponds
to the virtual address and its associated context identifier. The context
identifier is tested to determine if the TTE is available. Where the TTE
is available, the TLB and secondary memory assets are updated as
necessary and the method initiates memory access instructions. Where the
TTE is unavailable, the method either resolves the unavailability or
waits until the unavailability is resolved and then initiates memory
access instructions, thereby enabling the desired virtual address
information to be accessed.