Bug 2764 – Optimizing Gentoo for SMP-enabled systems

• Product: [OLD] Docs-user
• Status: RESOLVED FIXED

[Description Martin Andersen 2002-05-15 16:50:03 UTC]

[possibly also relevant for the Gentoo-core module]


Hi!


I have recently acquired a new machine which is a dual Athlon-MP based
system, and I am very eager to try my first Gentoo installation on it.

However, since Gentoo is all about maintaining speed and tidyness (that's
the way I see it anyhow ;), I'd really like to be able to get all things
optimized to run on a dual system from the get-go.
I have looked around the website, and pondered into some mailinglists, but
have come up short with information about x86 SMP systems.

So I was wondering; does an SMP image exist, and if not: are there any
plans on providing a SMP-enabled ISO?

Since I can do some things myself, I'd like to know where on my system
I have to look in order to add variables to the compiler that will make the
resulting binaries SMP-aware. I'd of course like to do this as early in the
compilation stage as possible (that is, before compiling the compiler,
obviously!)

As you probably realize, I'd like to cut down the compilation stage
significantly (or at least do my best to try to slice it down). :)

Also, since I am fortunate enough to have a 3ware Escalade RAID-5 card in
the same box, I'd like to know if the 3w-xxxx.o kernel module is included with
Gentoo, since this is a slightly exotic card (although 3ware make their own
Linux drivers, which have been present in the kernel since 2.2)

(Yes, I intend to boot from this controller)


I am eager to try on this new distribution. I have to say that from looking
at the tidy and straight-to-the-point website (not forgetting the
interesting technical articles), that things look very promising.

Keep up the great work.


Best regards,

Martin

[Comment 1 Peitolm 2002-05-16 16:16:32 UTC]

SMP support is normally enabled within the kernel, no programs that i know off 
support SMP directly, and the kernel thread handle will quite happily work with 
as many processors in your system.

Re: the driver issue, i'm not sure,.. i will try and get back to you on that 
one as soon as i can, (expect a couple of days though). 

[Comment 2 Peitolm 2002-05-21 16:46:31 UTC]

o.k. the install cd kernel doesn't support SMP, but that's not a problem,.. as 
when you come to compiling your own, (as part of the install) you can enable it 
then.

3ware support is included (its certainly compiled as a module).
/lib/modules/2.4.19/kernel/drivers/scsi/ is where it is I think, however a 
simple,
"modprobe 3w-xxxx" should load it for you. 

When it comes to building your own, i'd suggest compiling the code straight 
into the kernel, (not as a module)

for a list of which modules are built, please see,

http://www.gentoo.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/gentoo-src/cd-tools/

[Comment 3 John Davis (zhen) (RETIRED) 2002-10-04 00:19:12 UTC]

I think that bug is a resolved issue.

//ZhEN