Common feature mode for microprocessors in a multiple microprocessor system
First Claim
1. In a computing environment, a method comprising:
- detecting a first computing element having a plurality of operating modes;
detecting a second computing element; and
changing a mode on the first computing element to correspond to an operating mode of the second computing element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanism whereby a set of microprocessors may be set to a common mode in which the microprocessors utilize one or more features that are common to all microprocessors. The common mode facilitates proper multiprocessor operation and permits a fix (e.g., a microcode patch) to be applied to each of the microprocessors based on this common mode. More particularly, at system startup, firmware or software can detect whether microprocessors are set to run in different modes (e.g., steppings) in a multiprocessor system. If not, the microprocessors are allowed to run in their normal mode, such as by writing a particular value (e.g., zero) to a configuration register associated with each microprocessor. If features are mixed, a different value can be written, (e.g., one), which tells each microprocessor to revert to a common mode of operation for that family of microprocessors, such as corresponding to a common stepping and/or clock speed. A common set of microcode patches may be downloaded to the microprocessors. Alternatively, the various microprocessors may also be instructed to run in a particular mode that emulates a particular stepping, e.g., by writing into the configuration register or registers a number between one and M that corresponds to a common stepping among the microprocessors.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. In a computing environment, a method comprising:
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detecting a first computing element having a plurality of operating modes;
detecting a second computing element; and
changing a mode on the first computing element to correspond to an operating mode of the second computing element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 32)
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13. In a computing environment, a system comprising:
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a plurality of computing elements; and
an intermediary mechanism coupled to a first computing element to cause a change to an operating mode of the first computing element to correspond to an operating mode of a second computing element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. In a computing environment, a method comprising:
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providing a first computing element having a plurality of operating modes;
providing a second computing element having at least one operating mode; and
synchronizing the modes to enhance interoperability between the first and first computing elements. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification