Bootstrap processor selection architecture in SMP systems
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a bootstrap processor (BSP) in a multiprocessor (MP) system that includes a plurality of processors which communicate via a system bus, each processor including a register to store a processor identification (ID) having a value, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) asserting a reset signal;
(b) detecting the reset signal by each of the processors which are functioning in the MP system, each functional processor responding by;
(i) sending a first message, which includes the processor ID of the functional processor, across the system bus to all processors with processor IDs having values lower than the value associated with the functional processor; and
(ii) waiting a selected interval for a responsive message from one of the lower valued processors;
if the responsive message is not received within the selected interval, the functional processor being selected as the BSP;
otherwise,the functional processor being selected as not the BSP.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for selecting a bootstrap processor from among the processors of a multiprocessor system. Each processor has an identity code and each processor that is eligible to serve as the bootstrap processor sends an election message to processors having lower valued identity codes. If no processor having a lower valued identity code responds to the election message, the processor that originated the election message designates itself as the bootstrap processor and sends a message to all processors indicating itself as the bootstrap processor.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a bootstrap processor (BSP) in a multiprocessor (MP) system that includes a plurality of processors which communicate via a system bus, each processor including a register to store a processor identification (ID) having a value, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) asserting a reset signal; (b) detecting the reset signal by each of the processors which are functioning in the MP system, each functional processor responding by; (i) sending a first message, which includes the processor ID of the functional processor, across the system bus to all processors with processor IDs having values lower than the value associated with the functional processor; and (ii) waiting a selected interval for a responsive message from one of the lower valued processors; if the responsive message is not received within the selected interval, the functional processor being selected as the BSP;
otherwise,the functional processor being selected as not the BSP. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A storage medium on which is stored data for execution by one or more processors in a multiprocessor (MP) system, the processors communicating via a system bus with each processor including a register to store a processor identification (ID) having a value, execution of the data implementing a method comprising the steps of:
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(a) asserting a reset signal; (b) detecting the reset signal by each of the processors which are functional in the MP system, each functional processor responding by; (i) sending a first message, which includes the processor ID of the functional processor, across the system bus to all processors with processor Ids having values lower than the value associated with the functional processor; and (ii) waiting a selected interval for a responsive message from one of the lower valued processors; if the responsive message is not received within the selected interval, the functional processor being selected as the BSP;
otherwise,the functional processor being selected as not the BSP.
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8. A multiprocessor system, which comprises:
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a plurality of processors, each processor including a register to store a processor identification (ID) having a value; a system bus coupled to the plurality of processors; and a memory device coupled to the system bus; and wherein each of the processors further includes means for selecting a bootstrap processor (BSP), the means operating responsive to a reset signal to send a first message, which includes the processor ID of the processor, across the system bus to all processors with processor IDs having values lower than the value associated with the processor;
the processor then waiting a selected interval for a responsive message from one of the lower valued processors;
if the responsive message is not received within the selected interval, the functional processor being selected as the BSP;
otherwise, the functional processor being selected as not the BSP. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification