> From: Narender Rao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [twincling] Difference between SMP Kernel and a normal Kernel
> Sent: 20 Mar '07 08:31
>
> Hi,
>
> Please help me out with this.
>
> When we install linux on Dual core processor, we get two kernels loaded.
>
> One with smp and the other one is a normal kernel.
>
> what is the exact difference between these two?
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Narender Rao
Hi Narendar:
When you install Linux on HT processor, two kernels will be "installed" !
However, only one kernel will be loaded when the system is booted up.
eg. for Fedora core 6, you would see fc6 and fc6smp kernels.
At boot time, the Intel SMP compatibility is probed and accordingly
a 'normal' or a 'smp' kernel gets loaded.
>From a SMP 'kernel' perspective
- Processes will be distributed across processORs.
- kernel threads will be distributed across processORs.
- IPIs will work along with interrupts.
- Interrupt routing works via APICs
etc.
A SMP kernel adhere's to the intel Multiprocessor Specification !
Q. How to check if a SMP kernel got loaded on a HT machine ?
A. Boot log should show entries about the processor
see here,
http://www.uruk.org/~erich/pdxpc297_log.txt
Q. How to check the various 'logical' processor characteristics ?
A. cat /proc/cpuinfo (for Linux)
Hope this helps.
thanks
Saifi.
