Processor SMI Trap Mechanism for Shared Resource Conflict Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information handling systems with multiple processors, processing system management interrupts (SMIs) can degrade overall system performance due to the need for all processors to enter SMI mode, leading to suspended execution and potential resource conflicts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where one processor executes the SMI handler while others continue in normal mode, enabling an SMI trap for shared resources to prevent conflicts and allowing other processors to remain operational until conflicts arise, thereby reducing the impact on system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all processors enter SMI mode to handle system management interrupts, then system management events can be addressed, but overall system performance degrades due to suspended execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the SMI handling responsibility among processors. Instead of all processors entering SMI mode, only the processor that received the SMI interrupt executes the SMI handler, while other processors continue normal execution. This segmentation of the SMI handling task resolves the contradiction by allowing system management events to be handled reliably while maintaining overall system productivity.
2Reliability
If all processors enter SMI mode to handle shared resources, then resource conflicts can be prevented, but system efficiency decreases due to suspended execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements SMI traps at the shared resource level rather than globally for all processors. When a processor executes an SMI handler and accesses a shared resource, an SMI trap is enabled for that specific resource. Other processors continue normal operation unless they attempt to access the same shared resource, at which point they are trapped into SMI mode. This local quality approach prevents resource conflicts while maintaining system efficiency by keeping most processors operational.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a first processor device to execute a handler in response to a system management interrupt (SMI). While the first processor device executes the SMI handler, a second processor device of the information handling system can continue to execute software and perform other operations in a normal mode. When the first processor device accesses a shared resource in executing the SMI handler, an SMI trap for the shared resource is enabled. In response to the second processor device triggering the SMI trap by accessing the shared resource, the second processor device enters an SMI mode, thereby suspending execution of software and other operations. Accordingly, a second processor device is allowed to continue normal operations while a first processor device executes an SMI handler, improving system efficiency while preventing shared resource conflicts.