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I am curious about something. I have a kernel image and related Linux OS which I have built that works like a charm under an M586MXX system. I also need this kernel to support other Intel CPUs (e.g. PentiumII, PentiumM, etc).
Would there be any harm if I select multiple processors within my kernel configuration? Or do I need to create a separate kernel for each processor I intend to support?
I am curious about something. I have a kernel image and related Linux OS which I have built that works like a charm under an M586MXX system. I also need this kernel to support other Intel CPUs (e.g. PentiumII, PentiumM, etc).
Would there be any harm if I select multiple processors within my kernel configuration? Or do I need to create a separate kernel for each processor I intend to support?
Sorry if these sound like silly questions.
I don't think that you can select more than one processor. When you select a processor you are telling the kernel that it is OK to use hardware features which are unique to that processor. Since Intel processors are upward compatible, when you select a processor then it should also work on newer processors.
What I think that you should do is to select the oldest Intel CPU.
If any of your machines are multiple processors then you should compile a seperate kernel for that machine. Otherwise your generic kernel will run the multi-processor as a uni-processor.
Thanks Jailbait for the reply. Unfortunately it is not wanted to see, but if that is the case, then I may be required to create distinct kernels.
I have consulted with the EE at my company, and he states that we need to support the following Intel CPUs:
PENTIUM-MMX
PENTIUM T3
PENTIUM-M (CELERON-M?)
Will I have to create 3 separate kernels (I am using version 2.6.11.1 but would consider upgrading)? I currently chose to configure with the option CONFIG_M586MMX, and my kernel appears functional for the Pentium-MMX, but on the others not so.
Perhaps I am missing something within my configuration? Here it is:
PHP Code:
# Processor type and features # CONFIG_X86_PC=y # CONFIG_X86_ELAN is not set # CONFIG_X86_VOYAGER is not set # CONFIG_X86_NUMAQ is not set # CONFIG_X86_SUMMIT is not set # CONFIG_X86_BIGSMP is not set # CONFIG_X86_VISWS is not set # CONFIG_X86_GENERICARCH is not set # CONFIG_X86_ES7000 is not set # CONFIG_M386 is not set # CONFIG_M486 is not set # CONFIG_M586 is not set # CONFIG_M586TSC is not set CONFIG_M586MMX=y # CONFIG_M686 is not set # CONFIG_MPENTIUMII is not set # CONFIG_MPENTIUMIII is not set # CONFIG_MPENTIUMM is not set # CONFIG_MPENTIUM4 is not set # CONFIG_MK6 is not set # CONFIG_MK7 is not set # CONFIG_MK8 is not set # CONFIG_MCRUSOE is not set # CONFIG_MEFFICEON is not set # CONFIG_MWINCHIPC6 is not set # CONFIG_MWINCHIP2 is not set # CONFIG_MWINCHIP3D is not set # CONFIG_MCYRIXIII is not set # CONFIG_MVIAC3_2 is not set CONFIG_X86_GENERIC=y CONFIG_X86_CMPXCHG=y CONFIG_X86_XADD=y CONFIG_X86_L1_CACHE_SHIFT=7 CONFIG_RWSEM_XCHGADD_ALGORITHM=y CONFIG_GENERIC_CALIBRATE_DELAY=y CONFIG_X86_PPRO_FENCE=y CONFIG_X86_F00F_BUG=y CONFIG_X86_WP_WORKS_OK=y CONFIG_X86_INVLPG=y CONFIG_X86_BSWAP=y CONFIG_X86_POPAD_OK=y CONFIG_X86_ALIGNMENT_16=y CONFIG_X86_GOOD_APIC=y CONFIG_X86_INTEL_USERCOPY=y CONFIG_HPET_TIMER=y # CONFIG_SMP is not set # CONFIG_PREEMPT is not set # CONFIG_X86_UP_APIC is not set CONFIG_X86_TSC=y CONFIG_X86_MCE=y # CONFIG_X86_MCE_NONFATAL is not set # CONFIG_TOSHIBA is not set # CONFIG_I8K is not set CONFIG_MICROCODE=m CONFIG_X86_MSR=m CONFIG_X86_CPUID=m
I have consulted with the EE at my company, and he states that we need to support the following Intel CPUs:
PENTIUM-MMX
PENTIUM T3
PENTIUM-M (CELERON-M?)
The PENTIUM-MMX is a single core CPU. The PENTIUM-M is a dual core CPU. Therefore I think that you will have to configure two different kernels for the PENTIUM-MMX and the PENTIUM-M.
I don't know what the PENTIUM T3 is so I can't answer that question.
No, pentium m is not dual core. They are based on pentium 3 and were replaced by core solo (single core) and core duo (dual core).
Do you have any suggestions on how I should configure my kernel to support the Pentium-MMX and Pentium-M processors? Do I require separate kernels for these?
In the past my company relied on the 2.4.27 version of the kernel to support the Pentium-MMX and Pentium-T3 (or whatever the proper name is). That kernel was configured with CONFIG_M586MMX. Should I continue with this for the Pentium-M?
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