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Date:      Mon, 28 Apr 1997 07:59:35 -0400 (EDT)
From:      Chuck Robey <chuckr@mat.net>
To:        Ben Black <black@zen.cypher.net>
Cc:        FreeBSD-SMP@FreeBSD.org
Subject:   Re: SMP
Message-ID:  <Pine.BSF.3.91.970428075918.24289E-100000@Journey2.mat.net>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.3.91.970428014800.32065R-100000@zen.cypher.net>

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On Mon, 28 Apr 1997, Ben Black wrote:

> > 
> > I'm confused, then.  If there's only one kernel, then only one cpu can 
> > run it, so only one cpu can field the system calls.  If both cpu's can 
> > field system calls, then unless they contact the other one to get the 
> > work done, then there must be two copies of the kernel ruinning, right?
> > 
> > I'm probably misunderstanding something.  Maybe you meant only one piece 
> > of software called "kernel" but two cpus running it?
> > 
> 
> hence my saying one kernel.  there is a single kernel image in memory and 
> both CPUs execute different (or the same) parts of it at the same time.  
> the single lock is to keep the CPUs from stepping on each other.  when 
> one CPU wants to access a shared resource (and pretty much everything in 
> the kernel is considered shared) then it acquires the mplock, does its 
> business, releases the lock and continues.  if the other CPU has the lock 
> when one wants to acquire it, the second CPU waits.
> 
> one kernel, one lock.

Ahh, ok, I'm clear on that now.

> 
> 
> b3n
> 
> 
> 

----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------
Chuck Robey                 | Interests include any kind of voice or data 
chuckr@eng.umd.edu          | communications topic, C programming, and Unix.
9120 Edmonston Ct #302      |
Greenbelt, MD 20770         | I run Journey2 and picnic, both FreeBSD
(301) 220-2114              | version 3.0 current -- and great FUN!
----------------------------+-----------------------------------------------




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