A processing network comprising a cache configured to store copies of memory data as a plurality of cache lines, a cache controller configured to receive data requests from a plurality of cache agents, and designate at least one of the cache agents as an owner of a first of the cache lines, and a directory configured to store cache ownership designations of the first cache line, and wherein the directory is encoded to support substantially simultaneous ownership of the first cache line by a plurality but less than all of the cache agents. Also disclosed is a method comprising receiving coherent transactions from a plurality of cache agents, and storing ownership designations of a plurality of cache lines by the cache agents in a directory, wherein the directory is configured to support storage of substantially simultaneous ownership designations for a plurality but less than all of the cache agents.