Linux and Dual CPUs?

AMDPwred · 03-10-2002, 01:55 PM

I'm working on getting a dual P2 266mhz server built to run Linux. How well is Linux optimized to run on a dual system? Do I need to do anything special for it? I've built a number of computers in my time, none of which were built to run Linux though. So I have a question, I already have a Linux server running. When I build this new box and add my current hard drive to it, will Linux recognize the drive as a bootable drive and cause no problems? Or will I need to take a second route? Thanks for help.

neo77777 · 03-10-2002, 03:22 PM

Just install SMP kernel, or if during the install you'd default to UP kernel, recompile the kernel with SMP enabled

Thymox · 03-11-2002, 05:18 AM

Sort of hijacking this thread...
My brother has a dual Celeron 400's mobo, and he's running XP (God, no!). He's found that XP only starts to use the 2nd CPU when the 1st one is overloaded - such as ripping CDs and converting to MP3 at the same time, so for running games and stuff, it'll still run as a 400MHz machine. How does Linux use the 2nd CPU?

(I am thinking of buying it from him

)

finegan · 03-11-2002, 04:22 PM

The first processor acts as a task scheduler for the other. Apparently Solaris handles SMP natively the best out of the x86 *nixs, but that's just fluff I've heard from my CS geek friends. On the 1 Linux SMP box I've got running, the load on the first processor always stays relatively constant, while the second is kicking through the work to be done. Apparently you really get to see Linux's SMP capabilities when dealing with 4,6,8+ chips, but I don't have $5k+ for a new toy to find out if that's true.

Cheers,

Finegan