Messages in this thread | | | Date | Tue, 30 Nov 1999 16:08:46 +0100 | From | Manfred Spraul <> | Subject | Re: SMP kernel with single processor ? |
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Khimenko Victor wrote: > > On Mon, 29 Nov 1999, Alan Cox wrote: > > > > Yeah, right - and we all know that BIOS writers would _never_ violate the > > > specs, would they? ESPECIALLY for setting up PCI devices. > > > > > > Sounds like it might be time for separating CONFIG_APIC from CONFIG_SMP. > > > > APIC mode requires tables in the BIOS that are not required for non SMP boxes > > > Not required for non SMP motherboards, you mean ? There are quite a few > boxes with SMP boards and APIC but with just one processor installed. > Typical entry-level server... For them it can be usefull... >
According to the PC 2001 specs (Intel + Microsoft), APIC will be required for all PC 2001 compliant computers, and all EasyPC computers should contain an APIC. [but I'm quoting from an early draft of the specification, 0.3]
"3.1.3 APIC support, is present, is clocked and wired. All Desktop systems are required to have APIC implemented and properly connected [...]" In another paragraph, they write "an APIC compliant APIC" must be installed.
It seems that non-APIC compliant APICs are very common ;)
What would be the overhead of an APIC enabled UP kernel compared with a non-APIC kernel [running on a non-apic computer]?
-- Manfred
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