RTEMS 4.0.0 On-Line Library

Configuring a System Multiprocessor Configuration Table

RTEMS C User's Guide

21.8: Multiprocessor Configuration Table

The Multiprocessor Configuration Table contains information needed when using RTEMS in a multiprocessor configuration. Many of the details associated with configuring a multiprocessor system are dependent on the multiprocessor communications layer provided by the user. The address of the Multiprocessor Configuration Table should be placed in the User_multiprocessing_table entry in the primary Configuration Table. Further details regarding many of the entries in the Multiprocessor Configuration Table will be provided in the Multiprocessing chapter. The format of the Multiprocessor Configuration Table is defined in the following C structure:

typedef struct {
  rtems_unsigned32  node;
  rtems_unsigned32  maximum_nodes;
  rtems_unsigned32  maximum_global_objects;
  rtems_unsigned32  maximum_proxies;
  rtems_mpci_table *User_mpci_table;
} rtems_multiprocessing_table;

node: is a unique processor identifier and is used in routing messages between nodes in a multiprocessor configuration. Each processor must have a unique node number. RTEMS assumes that node numbers start at one and increase sequentially. This assumption can be used to advantage by the user-supplied MPCI layer. Typically, this requirement is made when the node numbers are used to calculate the address of inter-processor communication links. Zero should be avoided as a node number because some MPCI layers use node zero to represent broadcasted packets. Thus, it is recommended that node numbers start at one and increase sequentially.
maximum_nodes: is the number of processor nodes in the system.
maximum_global_objects: is the maximum number of global objects which can exist at any given moment in the entire system. If this parameter is not the same on all nodes in the system, then a fatal error is generated to inform the user that the system is inconsistent.
maximum_proxies: is the maximum number of proxies which can exist at any given moment on this particular node. A proxy is a substitute task control block which represent a task residing on a remote node when that task blocks on a remote object. Proxies are used in situations in which delayed interaction is required with a remote node.
User_mpci_table: is the address of the Multiprocessor Communications Interface Table. This table contains the entry points of user-provided functions which constitute the multiprocessor communications layer. This table must be provided in multiprocessor configurations with all entries configured. The format of this table and details regarding its entries can be found in the next section.

RTEMS C User's Guide