[OpenBIOS] Re: [fb-d] SMP Bootup

[Jeff Garzik]

James Hendricks wrote:
> 
> > All the code I've seen requires that you build either an ACPI table or
> > an Intel MP 1.x table.
> 
> I'll assume you meant APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller)
> instead of ACPI. (Isn't that Advanced Computer Power Interface?)  Or is
> ACPI something different? (too many acronyms)
> 
> Looks like I have to build both APIC and Intel MP tables; I am not too
> excited about that.  I guess I'll just printk() everything and hardwire
> everything in to start with. I don't even think I need to store the
> information where the bios would; I just need to assign variables.  I have
> no idea how we are going to do autodetection..

I meant ACPI.  :)  ACPI is mainly associated with power management right
now, but it is a lot more than just that.  ACPI tables are information
tables found on all new computers, built by BIOS as a completely
platform independent way of initializing CPUs, routing interrupts,
managing power, and other stuff.

Check out arch/ia64 and "grep -i acpi" in there.  You'll see where the
kernel boot code reads CPU and interrupt info from ACPI tables.

But for X86 that is not the path of least resistence -- you'll still
have to write or port ACPI infrastructure to X86.  To accomplish your
goal quickly it is probably best to simply create the tables expected by
mpparse.c...


> I am working with kernel 2.4.0-test1; the only file I believe I need to
> edit is mpparse.c.  Does this sound right to everybody?

Yes but where does mpparse get its info from?

I don't see any way around building a memory map in FreeBIOS for
anything more than simple configurations...

	Jeff



-- 
Jeff Garzik              | Liberty is always dangerous, but
Building 1024            | it is the safest thing we have.
MandrakeSoft, Inc.       |      -- Harry Emerson Fosdick
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