Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:14:50 -0500 From: Michael Powell <nightrecon@hotmail.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: PF/ALTQ - Stable TSC? Message-ID: <jce9ik$uf3$1@dough.gmane.org> References: <CAKOHg=PxCPVhJnU3DS%2B9D_i0XhGOmDOAfFtpBNL7=j3qC00%2BcA@mail.gmail.com>
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APseudoUtopia wrote: > Hello, > I'm setting up pf with altq support in my kernel on freebsd 9.0-Stable > (soon to switch to the -RELEASE once it's available). > The system is a quad-core Xeon E31220, running amd64. > I've done a bit of googling and found various results. I know the > freebsd handbook says ALTQ_NOPCC is required on SMP systems. My > kern.timecounter.smp_tsc=1, which says the TSC is safe to use in SMP > mode. Is it still required to use ALTQ_NOPCC on _ALL_ smp systems? > Basically I'm just seeing very different answers with my own research, > which is why I'm posting to this list. > In the /usr/src/sys/conf/NOTES on an 8.2 box it has this to say: "ALTQ requires a stable TSC so if yours is broken or changes with CPU throttling then you must also have the ALTQ_NOPCC option." I take this to mean that if your TSC is absolutely rock solid and does not vary or adjust when CPU throttling kicks in you may very well get away with not having it. My take on this is it probably doesn't hurt to leave it in, as it would be a safety net in place for a "just in case" scenario in which case it would enhance stability. Cheap insurance. I suspect the Handbook line you were referring to might date back to the 5.x days, with the quote above being recent. A lot of work in the three timecounters available went as water under the bridge some time ago. -Mike
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