Abstract: Dynamic hardware partitioning of symmetric multiprocessing systems enables on-the-fly provisioning of servers of varying performance characteristics by configuring physical partitions having selectable numbers of processors. Processors are directed to disable included coherency links (for example by de-asserting respective Power-Good indicators to each of the processors). Then processors selected for inclusion in a first physical partition are directed to form coherency links with all adjacent processors (for example by asserting the respective Power-Good indicators to each of the processors of the first physical partition). All other processors in the system remain isolated (i.e. their respective Power-Good indicators remain de-asserted). The processors of the first physical partition are then directed to fetch and execute instructions (for example by de-asserting respective Reset indicators to each of the processors).

Abstract: Starting and establishing a dialog between an interruption handler and an operating system for handling of hardware interruptions by the operating system is disclosed. A recommendation for handling such an interruption, and information regarding the interruption, are stored by the interruption handler in a storage accessible by the operating system. The interruption handler calls the operating system at a predetermined interruption handling point thereof, for the operating system to handle the interruption. The handler then determines whether the operating system handled the interruption according to the recommendation.

Abstract: Starting and establishing a dialog between an interruption handler and an operating system for handling of hardware interruptions by the operating system is disclosed. A recommendation for handling such an interruption, and information regarding the interruption, are stored by the interruption handler in a storage accessible by the operating system. The interruption handler calls the operating system at a predetermined interruption handling point thereof, for the operating system to handle the interruption. The handler then determines whether the operating system handled the interruption according to the recommendation.