One embodiment can provide a node controller in a multiprocessor system. The node controller can include a processor interface to interface with a processor, a memory interface to interface with a fabric-attached memory, a node-controller interface to interface with a remote node controller, and a cache-coherence logic to operate in a first mode or a second mode. The cache-coherence logic manages cache coherence for a local memory of the processor coupled to the processor interface when operating in the first mode, and the cache-coherence logic manages cache coherence for the fabric-attached memory coupled to the memory interface when operating in the second mode.